Your columnist, Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, used his privileged space in your September 11, 2014 edition to raise some issues that border on journalistic professional ethics that must be seriously debated.
In castigating the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for not allowing a question by a Daily Graphic reporter on 'allegations' relating to Black Stars’ Captain Asamoah Gyan, Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh first questions the right of the GFA to determine the line of questioning at its own press conference, saying it is a “no holds barred event”.
Secondly, he is appalled that our national footballers are held as 'Demi-gods' by a section of the public.
Thirdly, he argues that journalist Kenu acted "professionally" in asking the question he raised.
With the greatest respect to my colleague, Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh, and the pains Kenu is going through, I have a serious problem agreeing with the line of reasoning. The points Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh puts up in his argument could be detrimental to the growth of "professional journalism" in Ghana.
Without any prejudice to the severity of the various responses to Kenu's question, I wish to posit as follows:
1. The organiser of the press conference had every right to facilitate the line of questioning. It was within his right not to allow questions not related to the subject matter for which the press was invited.
2. I personally have respect for ANY professional who puts his profession at stake to represent Ghana. It does not make him or her a demi-god. Those who play for the country deserve our respect and honour, even if they fail to make the international mark.
3. Where did Kenu act professionally? What was the assignment given him by his news editor? What was the Daily Graphic expecting to publish the following day from the press conference? Was it the subject of the press conference or the speculated "allegation"? Was that the appropriate occasion for the question posed by Kenu?
It may be professional solidarity to support one another in the practice of journalism and cry on top of roofs over attacks on 'press freedom', but we should not forget that it is widely known that press freedom goes with responsibility.
The fundamental point I am making here is that Kenu's question was not relevant to the subject of the press conference, irrespective of whether or not it had been raised in the streets of Kumasi or Accra.
Secondly, the code of ethics of the profession is clear on how to treat matters of the nature affecting Asamoah Gyan.
Article 16 of the GJA Code of Ethics explicitly states:
"In case of personal grief or distress, journalists should exercise tact and diplomacy in seeking information and publishing."
The occasion when a football captain, or any athlete, is preparing for a contest is a wrong time for asking irrelevant questions, particularly when he or she is in distress or personal grief.
Again, in the profession, we have the principle of the Right To Privacy, which dictates that journalists “do not manipulate people who are thrust into the spotlight because they are victims of crime or are associated with tragedy”.
Freedom of speech is great and we should teach the younger ones what great profession they belong to, but let us also teach them that it goes with responsibility.
The distinguishing attribute of the professional is that he/she works with a code of ethics !
The writer is the Founder/President, African University College of Communications (AUCC), and former Editor, Daily Graphic.
