The President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Efua Ghartey, has called for greater protection and representation of women in journalism, warning that a press environment where women are unsafe or misrepresented cannot claim to be democratic or just.
Addressing a gathering of senior media personalities, fellows from Cohort 1 of the HerPress Fellowship, and media students, she stressed that ethical journalism is not optional, especially in an era where technology is rapidly transforming the media landscape.
She argued that the strength of Ghana’s democracy rests on the extent to which the media upholds truth, justice and the safety of all journalists, particularly women.
“A free press cannot exist where women are unsafe. Protecting women journalists is not optional. It is a test of whether our media and our democracy truly serve justice,” Madam Ghartey said.
The GBA president highlighted the legal foundation of press responsibility, citing Article 12 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, which balances freedom of expression with the need to protect the dignity and rights of others. She also referenced Section 18.1 of the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843) and the Cybersecurity Act, which provide safeguards against privacy violations and online abuse.
“These are not restrictions. They are safeguards, reminding us that truth must serve justice, not harm it,” she said.
Ethical journalism, she added, requires checking facts before publishing, avoiding sensationalism, protecting the vulnerable, and respecting privacy all while recognising that press freedom must be exercised with care and integrity.
Madam Ghartey also expressed concern over the frequent misrepresentation and stereotyping of women in news coverage. From politics to community leadership, she said too many stories are filtered through biases instead of facts, ultimately silencing women’s voices and distorting public discourse.
“When women are misrepresented, sensationalised, or silenced in media coverage, justice itself is undermined,” she said.
