Citi FM Journalist Broke GJA Code Of Ethics By Filming At National Security Premises – Affail Monney
President of the Ghana Journalists’ Association (GJA) says filming at the National Security premises by Citi FM journalist, Caleb Kudah was in breach of the Association’s code of ethics.
Speaking on Accra-based Wednesday, Roland Affail Monney indicated that the journalist in question ascertained information in a means which flies in the face of Article 13 of the GJA constitution.
Although reports say Caleb Kudah’s action was in the public’s interest, the GJA President opined that his efforts are unclear.
“Caleb erred as far as our ethics is concerned. He clearly breached the ethics relative to Article 13 of our own code of ethics which specifies journalists should take pictures through fair, straight forward and honest means unless tampered by national interest.
“His interest here is not so clear. From the face of it, we believe he erred.” he said.
In addition, Mr Monney explained to Emefa Apawu that the actions of Mr Kudah flout the law of the land which bans video coverage of security installations.
According to him, the violation of Article 126 by the journalist may have triggered the use of excessive force during their arrest.
“Caleb shouldn’t have filmed without permission and Caleb should have realized that place is a security zone and in every security zone, the security laws apply. It is a no go area as far as photography is concerned and his violation of regulation might have triggered the over reaction from the security operatives,” he stated.
He, however, used the platform to condemn the brute force used by the personnel of the National Security operatives to pick up Zoey Abu-Baidoo at the Citi FM premises at Adabraka.
“Even though he erred, the disproportionate use of force and intimidation does not justify the offense committed by Kudah.”
Mr Affail Monney also sympathised with the affected journalists for the traumatic experience they may have encountered at the hands of the operatives.
“Let me express our solicitude and fullest solidarity with Caleb and Zoey. Their hellish experience….if any member of the journalsim fraternity is cut, we will bleed. So we are also bleeding over the traumatic experience yesterday,” he said.
Journalists with Accra-based Citi FM, Caleb Kudah and Zoey Abu Baidoo were on Tuesday, May 11, picked up by National Security operatives for filming a video at the premises of the National Security Ministry
According to sources, the operatives stormed the premises of the Adabraka-based station to whisk away Zoe Abu-Baidoo after picking up Caleb Kudah.
The two were later released some hours later by the security after an interrogation session.