President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Affail Monnie has bemoaned the level of unprofessionalism exhibited by some individuals in the media landscape claiming to be journalists.

According to him, the unprincipled and unethical approach in dealing with matters of importance by these individuals has contributed to wide-ranging problems witnessed in the practice of the profession.

Speaking at a public lecture in commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day, Mr. Monnie argued that, the inexistence of laws barring people without qualifications from practicing journalism has contributed to a great proportion of fake news peddled and distorted information disseminated into the public domain on daily basis in the country.

“Anybody can practice journalism and our laws do not frown on that, so whether you are a Kenkey seller, a trotro mate (commercial bus conductor), or a politician, the law permits you to practice journalism,” he stated.

Affail Monney advised persons already practicing journalism to exercise decorum in their line of duty and urged others interested to indulge in the profession to oblige the code of conduct stipulated by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) stressing the need for rigorous training to tidy up the system.

“Anyone who decides to play the game of journalism should play it according to the rules and the rules contextually are the ethics of the profession and as far as ethics are concerned standards are not uniform…we have certain sections which also symbolize ethical bankruptcy,” he lamented.

He held that there is the general practice of press freedom which protects many journalists across the world, however the freedom they enjoy must in no way be abused in effect.

“The solution to this problem is training. The reality here is that many journalists are not educated, they are not trained in journalism. We have masonries who have invaded the media space and their intentions are clear for all to see...We have the freedom to abuse but there should be a limit to the abuse of freedom,” Mr. Monnie added.