Training should be mandatory for court reporters to improve judicial accuracy- Justice Bartels-Kodwo

Supreme Court Justice nominee, Janapare Bartels-Kodwo has called for mandatory training for journalists covering court proceedings to improve the accuracy and integrity of judicial reporting.

Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Tuesday, Justice Bartels-Kodwo emphasised the importance of educating court reporters about both their rights and responsibilities.

She acknowledged that some media personnel have, at times, misrepresented court rulings or misunderstood proceedings, potentially misinforming the public.

“However, I do not think that we need to go all out right away with the big stick, knocking everybody. Maybe, we first of all have to engage the media, their freedoms have to go with their responsibilities, they have to know that we have to sensitise them,” she said.

To address the issue, she proposed that the Judicial Training Institute (JTI) take the lead in providing structured education for journalists on proper court reporting practices.

“People have to learn how to report. We have judicial media persons, but sometimes they do not report exactly, but I think it is a learning process and sensitisation,” she said.

Her remarks come amid growing concern over media accuracy in covering legal matters as Ghana’s judicial system continues to modernise.