Chairman of the National Media Commission, Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafo has advised journalists to be meticulous in their reportage on crimes in order not to misinform the public.
He asked them to cross-check information and educate the public on accurate facts.
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafo was addressing crime reporters in Accra at the end of a two-day training workshop on crime reporting and policing, organised by the Ghana Police Service, GPS.
Participants were taken through the command structure of the Ghana Police Service, GPS, directives on police, public/media engagements, investigations and media work, framework for police-media relations, procedure for complaint against misconduct, procedures in crime investigation, among others.
Taking participants through ethics in crime reporting, Mr Boadu-Ayeboafo said audience make their judgments from the information given to them.
He therefore advised journalists to understand the processes and procedures in their field to properly educate the public.
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafo also urged journalists to be humble to accept their mistakes and come out with a rejoinder where necessary.
He charged journalists to be professional in the discharge of their duties and avoid stereotyping, using words that suggests hate and protect minors and the vulnerable by not exposing them to public ridicule.
He said as crime reporters they are obliged to cooperate with lawful state security agencies, explaining that in as much as the constitution guarantees their mandate, that of the police is also guaranteed. Thus, there must be mutual respect between the two parties.
Chief Superintendent John Opoku of the Police Professional Standards Bureau, formerly PIPS in his presentation disclosed that in 2018, out of the 1709 police misconducts reported, 17 personnel were dismissed and three were demoted. The rest are still under investigation.
Director General of Public Affairs ACP David Eklu, advised reporters to learn negotiating skills to reduce friction between them and the police.
A Communications Consultant, Professor Kwame Karikari advised personnel to put their safety first in the discharge of their duties, adding that they should make sure they do not expose the police to unwarranted public danger.