Transparency International Ghana has sensitized media practitioners in Kumasi on defense integrity reporting, while encouraging standard elevation in journalism.
The organization observed that defence integrity reporting remains limited in Ghana, attributing the situation to fear, inadequate capacity building, and weak collaboration between the media and the security sector.
Speaking to journalists during the workshop, the Fundraising Manager of Transparency International Ghana, Michael Kwame Boadi, said many people believe issues concerning the defence sector should remain entirely confidential.
However, he stressed that journalists must strike a balance between protecting national security and serving the public interest.
“You need to know what should be preserved in the national interest and what should be reported in the public interest. Both serve the national interest, but journalists must exercise careful judgment. In attempting to break news, the media should not create panic, deepen conflicts, or compromise state security,” he said.
Mr. Boadi further emphasized that raising professional standards should remain a priority for journalists, particularly in the area of development journalism.
“Development journalism is not just about reporting what has happened. It is about examining the impact of events on people’s lives,” he stated.
According to him, if journalists improve their understanding of defence reporting and appreciate the boundaries of sensitive security information, trust between the media and the defence sector will be strengthened, making it easier for security institutions to share information with the press when appropriate.
He noted that premature publication of sensitive security operations could undermine national security.
“Assuming there is going to be a security operation somewhere and the media reveals it beforehand, what would be the consequences?” he asked.
Some journalists expressed appreciation to Transparency International Ghana for organizing the workshop, describing it as timely and beneficial in enhancing their understanding of defence integrity reporting.
They also recommended that future editions of the workshop should include officials from the defence and security services to promote mutual understanding and improve relations between journalists and security personnel.
They noted that in many developed countries, journalists are protected and allowed to report from conflict zones, whereas in Ghana and other parts of Africa, some security personnel often regard journalists as adversaries.
“In many foreign countries, journalists are protected while reporting from conflict areas. Here in Ghana and across parts of Africa, some security personnel see us as enemies and sometimes assault journalists. That is not fair,” a participant lamented.
The participants pledged to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the training in their professional work.
The workshop also featured presentations by international experts, who joined virtually to share global best practices and experiences in defence and security reporting, offering participants valuable insights into responsible reporting within the sector.
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