Public service journalism vital for nation building - Lewis Smith

An American Lecturer in Journalism, Professor Lewis Smith, has reminded editors and media owners to give some attention to developmental issues, and matters bordering on the welfare of the underprivileged in the society.

“Everything should not be about politics and elections. Public service journalism is very important,” he said and  also called for a considerable amount of space and airtime to be devoted to developmental issues by the media.

“We should do well to provide a forum for the voice of the underprivileged to be heard,” he said.

Prof. Smith, a lecturer at the Prairie View A & M University at Texas, was speaking during a lecture organised by the Africa University College of Communication (AUCC), in Accra on Tuesday.

He spoke on the topic: “American perspectives and significance of a free and vibrant media”.

The lecture was organised by the AUCC in collaboration with the American Embassy in Ghana.

Prof. Smith also touched on freedom of expression and asked journalists to be responsible while enjoying their freedom as stipulated in the constitution.

“There is the need as journalists to respect the provisions in the Code of Ethics,” he said, and advised journalists to strive, in order to have the required knowledge to “speak responsibly and also the courage to speak freely”.

On the Freedom of Information Bill, Prof. Smith urged the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to lobby so as to ensure that its provisions gave enough room to seek for information, since too many limitations would make the concept of freedom of expression meaningless.

He, however, cautioned against the tendency to sacrifice accuracy for speed.

Prof. Smith commended journalists in the country and said the variety of newspapers and radio stations was healthy for the growth of the country’s democracy.

“I am impressed about what you guys are doing, you need to really do stories not only on politics. Public interest stories should also be featured while follow-ups on stories are also very important.”

By Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah/Daily Graphic/Ghana