The Chairman of the Upper East Chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), William Nlanjerbor Jalulah, has cautioned journalists in the region to be professional and observe all due diligence in their line of work especially when reporting on conflict and conflict-related issues. 

According to him, the growth or fall of the region depends on the kind of information fed to the public by journalists. 

“I urge you all to be professional in reporting conflict and conflict-related issues,” Mr Jalulah said, stressing: “If we must report on any conflict, let us cross check our information very well. If after crosschecking and we are still in doubt, leave [it] out.” 

“It is better not to report on matters you are not sure about the accuracy of your information than to report and mislead the public because the consequences of such could be dire,” he explained. 

Mr Jalulah was speaking to media personnel at the launch of the second edition of the Upper East GJA Awards held in Bolgatanga, Thursday, July 27, 2023. 

The awards night, he informed, is slated for October 6, and will be on the theme: ‘Safeguarding the Peace and Security of the Upper East Region: The Role of The Media’.

He added that the categories were carefully designed based on the impactful roles they are aimed at playing in the region and the nation at large. 

The categories for the awards include Journalist of the Year, Agric Reporting, Child Protection, Human Rights, Water and Sanitation, Conflict Reporting, Environment, Health, Gender, Disability, Sports, Best Radio Station, Tourism and Culture, Best Radio Programme and a number of honoury awards.