The GJA Code of Ethics was adopted by the National Council of the
association at Sunyani, capital of the Brong Ahafo region, on July 27, 1994.
The event was organized with financial assistance from the Friederich Ebert
Foundation which also provided funds for the publication of the document.
PREAMBLE
1. The GJA Code of Ethics has been drawn up as a ready guide and is
applicable to members of the association in the state-owned media, private
media and local freelance journalists
2. The code provides a frame of reference to the National Executive and
the Disciplinary Committee and members of the association when it
becomes necessary to initiate disciplinary action against any member
who flouts any Article of the Code.
3. The code is meant to ensure that members adhere to the highest ethical
standards, professional competence and good behavior in carrying out
their duties.
4. As the fourth estate of the realm, the public expect the media to play
their watchdog role. They should do this with a high sense of responsibility
without infringing on the rights of individuals and the society in general.
ARTICLE 1: PEOPLE’S RIGHT TO TRUE INFORMATION
1. The duty of every journalist is to write and report the truth, bearing in
mind his/her duty to serve
The public.
2. The public have the right to unbiased, accurate, balanced and
comprehensive information as well as express themselves freely
through the media.
3. A journalist should make adequate enquiries and cross-check his/her
facts.
ARTICLE 2: SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
1. In collecting and disseminating information, the journalist should bear
in mind his/her responsibility to the public at large and the various
interests in society.
ARTICLE 3: PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY
1. Journalists should not accept bribe or any form of inducement to influence
the performance of his/her professional duties.
ARTICLE 4: PLAGIARISM
1. A journalist should not plagiarize because it is unethical and illegal.
2. Where there is the need to use another’s material, it is proper to credit
the source.
ARTICLE 5: RESPECT FOR PRIVACY AND HUMAN DIGNITY
1. Journalists should respect the right of the individual, the privacy and
human dignity.
2. Enquiries and intrusions into a person’s private life can only be justified
when done in public interest.
3. A journalist should guard against defamation, libel, slander and obscenity.
ARTICLE 6: RESPECT FOR NATIONAL AND ETHNIC VALUES
1. A journalist should not originate material, which encourages
discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity, color, creed, gender or
sexual orientation.
ARTICLE 7: CONFIDENTIAL SOURCES
1. Journalists are bound to protect confidential sources of information.
ARTICLE 8: SUPPRESSION OF NEWS
1. Under no circumstances should news or a publication be suppressed unless it borders on national
security or is in public interest to do so.
ARTICLE 9: CORRECTIONS
1. Whenever there is an inaccurate or a misleading report, it should be corrected promptly and given
due prominence. An apology should be published whenever appropriate.
ARTICLE 10: REJOINDERS
1. A fair opportunity should be given to individuals and organizations.
2. Any report or a write-up affecting the reputation of an individual or an organization without a
chance to reply is unfair and must be avoided by journalists.
ARTICLE 11: SEPARATING COMMENTS FROM FACTS
1. While free to take positions on any journalists should draw a clear line between comment,
conjecture and fact.
ARTICLE 12: INFORMATION AND PICTURES
1. A journalist shall obtain information, photographs and illustration only by straightforward,
means.
2. The use of other means can be justified only by overriding considerations of the public interest.
3. The journalist is entitled to exercise a personal conscientious objection to the use of such means.
ARTICLE 13: RESPECTING EMBARGOES
1. Journalists should respect embargoes on stories.
ARTICLE 14: VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
1. Journalists should avoid identifying victims of sexual assault.
ARTICLE 15: DEALING WITH THE UNDER-AGED
1. Journalists should protect the rights of minors and in criminal and other cases secure the consent
of parents or guardians before interviewing or photographing them.
ARTICLE 16: PERSONAL GRIEF OR DISTRESS
1. In case of personal grief or distress, journalists should exercise tact and diplomacy in seeking
information and publishing.
ARTICLE 17: HEADLINES & SENSATIONALISM
1. Newspaper headlines should be fully warranted by the contents of the articles they accompany.
2. Photographs and telecasts should be give an accurate picture of an event and not highlight an
incident out of context.
