Ensure media owners adhere to accepted minimum wage for journalists – Mahama charges GJA Prez

Former President, John Dramani Mahama has called on the leadership of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to ensure that all media organizations adhered to the accepted minimum wage for journalists.

He said it is important for journalists, who according to him are the eye of the nation, to be treated fairly and be well remunerated for their service to the nation.

Addressing GJA executives during a courtesy call on  him in Accra on Thursday, the former President insisted that media owners, especially private organisations must pay their workers well.

“If we do not ensure that journalists are well remunerated, people could use money to influence the media to push an agenda that suits their interests, ” he noted.

According to him, journalists have immense power and they are also one of the pillars of development of any country,  therefore must be treated fairly in order for them to churn out quality news and prevent the issue of fake news that seem to be growing in the country.

“The upsurge in fake news in the country where one wakes up to hear things he did not say or do attributed to them. If not properly checked could affect the image of the journalism profession and at the same time derail national growth, ” he told the GJA executives.

Mr. Mahama, however, commended the GJA for its consistent effort to promote media freedom and also urged them to fully celebrate their 70th anniversary with pride.

In his submission, the President of GJA, Affail Monney, thanked the former president for his support to the GJA during his administration and assured him that he would do everything to ensure journalists are treated fairly.

He said the media had the responsibility to maintain the standards they had set for themselves and also improve upon them, especially as the country moved towards the election year.