Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban S.K. Bagbin has deplored the tendency of the media to focus its lenses on critical voices against the government and subject them to attacks rather than focus on those in power to account.
According to him, directing attention to critics of those in power limits not only media persons because that is not their role, but also suppresses information critical for the development of the people and the state.
The role of the press in Parliament, he said, to build linkages between the conduct of Parliamentary business and the citizenry has become even more critical in the 8th Parliament in view of the composition of the House.
He averred that what Members of Parliament (MPs) do as representatives of the electorates must be made manifestly clear to the citizens.
“The work we do has become so technical and is something new that many people don’t understand. It is part of your bounding duty to break this down into a language that people can understand,” he stated.
Speaking at the swearing-in of newly elected executives of the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC) on Monday, April 4, 2022, the Speaker indicated the media can positively steer and alter the ways in which government and its institutions operate and effectively hold political leaders accountable for carrying out their mandate to the people.
He said, “Holding our leaders accountable is the role of the media, which parliament shares in. Ultimately, and in keeping with the maxim “the people’s power is greater than the people in power,” the media’s role as the voice and mouthpiece for the voiceless is a critical one which, in partnership with the legislature, can help in ensuring that those elected govern with the hopes and aspirations of the citizens in mind.”
“In the hung parliament that we have today, Ghanaians have demonstrated their interest to invest in the sustenance of Ghana’s democracy and the strengthening of the rule of law,” he added.
Speaker Alban Bagbin reminded the seven-member executive that their position is crucial to situating Parliamentary business through the Press Corps to the Ghanaian public.
The very essence of leadership, he said, is vision and stress one cannot blow an empty trumpet.
“It is not for nothing that you have been elected as executives to lead the way forward and chart the course of this group.”
“You cannot be a leader and not have followers likewise, can you not be an irrepressible follower and expect to be a revered leader one day,” he added.
Dean of the PPC, Simon Againab expressed appreciation to the Speaker for his continued support for members of the Corps.
He observed that the attrition rate among journalists in Parliament is not only affecting Parliament as an institution, but also the PPC.
“This is why capacity building exercises are very opportune and timely. Journalists in Parliament are the first information vehicle to the outside world and thus must always be in the position to give accurate accounts of happenings,” he said.
He assured the newly-sworn executive will put in its best to ensure members distinguish themselves creditably.
Director of Public Affairs, Madame Kate, in her remarks, indicated the ethics of journalism are still the same and stressed the significance of a whole chapter in the Constitution being dedicated to press freedom and the responsibilities that come with it.
She urged members of the Corps to work and generate strong bylines because that will be enough to earn them their daily bread without having to look to MPs for handouts.
Members of the new executive are Simon Againab, the Dean; Stephen Odoi-Larbi, Vice Dean; Kwaku Sakyi-Danso, General Secretary; Francis Ekow Annan, Deputy Secretary; Ibrahim Alhassan, Organizing Secretary; Yesmeen Abubakar Tetteh, treasurer; and Deborah Dzivenu, ex-officio member.
