Legal practitioner and historian Yaw Anokye Frimpong has urged journalists covering court proceedings to exercise greater caution in reporting legal matters.

He warned that a misunderstanding of legal terminology often leads to inaccurate news reports.

Speaking on CTV's morning show “Oman Ghana Nkosuo” with hosts Yaa Titi and Kaakyire Akwasi Appiah, Lawyer Anokye Frimpong said many court reports are distorted because some journalists interpret legal terms using their ordinary dictionary meanings rather than their legal definitions.

His comments followed discussions on recent court proceedings involving the Attorney General and the case of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi. 

According to him, some of the information circulating in the media about court proceedings is the result of the misinterpretation rather than what was actually said in court.

Lawyer Anokye Frimpong explained that court proceedings are not supposed to be recorded, leaving journalists to rely on their understanding of what transpires in the courtroom.

He noted that while reporters may hear lawyers and judges clearly, they do not always fully understand the legal language being used, leading to reports that may misrepresent the court's position.

"Not every word used in court means the same as it does in the Oxford Dictionary or the  classrooms ," he said.

To illustrate his point, he cited the legal concept of "consideration" in the law of contract, explaining that its meaning in legal practice is entirely different from its ordinary dictionary definition.

He likened the situation to a doctor's handwritten prescription, saying that just as a prescription may only be understood by trained medical professionals, legal language also requires specialized knowledge to interpret accurately.

“Just as a doctor writes a prescription that only nurses or pharmacists can properly understand, legal terms also have meanings that are different from their ordinary use. Journalists must be careful not to misinterpret them," he said.

Lawyer Anokye Frimpong urged court reporters to verify the meaning of legal terms with legal practitioners where necessary to ensure accurate reporting and avoid the spread of misinformation from courtroom proceedings.