Press
Club of Fatima Senior Secondary School in Bwiam, Foni Kansala district, Friday
held a forum on ethical journalism and good practices, meant to give the young
aspiring journalists the opportunity to know the ethical conducts in
journalism.
The
forum is said to be the first since the revival of the club in January 2015.
Not only the club members participated in the forum, but members of other press
clubs sister schools in the region also graced the occasion.
Kandeh,
president of Gambia College press club, said journalists should do no harm and
as such, should be ethical at all times, adding that an ethical journalist
needs to be accurate, independent, accountable and objective.
“What
we publish or broadcast maybe hurtful, but we should be aware of the impact of
our words and images on the lives of others,” he said.
Mr
Kandeh said part of ethical journalism is to always correct errors when they
occur and the expression of regret must be sincere, saying a show of sign of
professionalism and responsible journalism is the ability to hold ‘ourselves’
and others accountable.
Philip
Bass, principal of the school said the event would be very beneficial to the
members of the club as they aspire to belong to a ‘unique’ institution of
journalism.
He
said the club makes use of student reporters who research and write stories to
be presented during assemblies or to be posted on boards often with the
coordinating teachers as their editors. He said press clubs help to instill and
build confidence and self- esteem in learners.
“The
need for access to information through the establishment of a concrete press
club in schools is such that man can hardly function or determine his cause of
life without communication.”
He
said the influential role of the media resides in its impulse to shoulder the
cause of attitudinal change and building public perception towards societal
affairs.
Mr
Bass however urged the young aspiring journalists to study hard to be able to
fulfill their dreams and aspirations.
President
of Young Journalists Association of The Gambia (YJAG), Kebba Jeffang urged
journalists to always report on facts, which he believes minimize harm.
