NR JOURNALISTS UNHAPPY WITH MUSHROOMING OF TRAINING SCHOOLS (PAGE 30)

Story: Vincent Adedze, Tamale

THE Northern Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has expressed grave concern about the establishment of an unaccredited journalism training institute in the Tamale metropolis.
The GJA further expressed worry that the “so-called Northern Institute of Journalism” had the potential to churn out mediocre products who could pose real danger to society, as the institute did not have the qualified personnel to teach journalism.
A statement signed and issued in Tamale by the Regional Chairman of the GJA, Mr Alidu Baba, and copied to the General Secretary of the GJA, at the national headquarters in Accra, equally cautioned the public and prospective applicants “not to take the school serious since it has no accreditation”.
The statement further noted that “a group of untrained journalists within the metropolis have established what they term Northern Journalism Institute; this group is reported to be in the process of recruiting lecturers and making radio announcements to that effect, while distributing brochures to prospective applicants to enroll”.
It further warned that neither the GJA nor the National Accreditation Board had any knowledge about its existence and called on “the appropriate authorities to investigate the matter and ensure that the proper thing is done”.
“Media liberalisation does not mean giving license to unqualified people to indulge in acts that continue to drag the name of journalism in the mud; the regional GJA therefore advises those interested in becoming journalists to seek proper training from accredited journalism schools” it pointed out.
The statement also deplored “the invasion of the profession by unqualified and untrained journalists who have been employed by some media houses and are causing a nuisance and indulging in unethical practices, including the extortion of monies from event organisers”.
It further stated that the regional branch of the GJA had received “reports from public officials, particularly district chief executives in the region about people parading as journalists and harassing them for money”.
The statement equally expressed regret about the establishment of similar private journalism schools in other parts of the country, particularly in Accra and Kumasi that were turning out journalism graduates of a questionable calibre.
“Journalism is a noble profession but unfortunately, some groups or individuals are now making a mockery of the profession by recruiting junior and senior high school leavers who do not have any journalism training as correspondents” it stressed.
The statement also reminded the media of their role to responsibly ensure fair and balanced reportage as well as help maintain national cohesion before, during and after the 2008 general elections.