As Ghana continues to record increases in COVID-19 cases, the National Media Commission, a government agency in Ghana mandated with the responsibility of monitoring activities of Media houses, has cautioned media practitioners to avoid making jokes about the deadly pandemic.
“In the legitimate attempt to reduce public anxiety and provide hope on this moment of disquiet, some media have resorted to making jokes about the disease,” the NMC said in a statement issued on March 19.
Signed by George Sarpong, Executive Secretary of the NMC, the statement said “while humour has its place in reducing anxieties in moments of national stress, it also carries the risk of minimising the sense of urgency and possibly leading to complacency in the public response.”
According to the NMC, since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, following the directives of the president of Ghana, Nana Akufo Addo, the media has demonstrated commendable support for the national cause and justified why the 1992 constitution gave the Media pride of place.
In view of this, the NMC reminded the Media personnel to be balanced which is “our greatest professional virtue”, adding that and the best way to achieve that is to rely on official sources for accurate information.”
As of March 21, Ghana has recorded 19 cases and Health Authorities have warned that there might be likely increases and urged Ghanaians to take precautionary measures.
