Accra: Chief of Staff at Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's office, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has raised concerns regarding the increasing trend of journalists being appointed by the current government. He claims this practice is undermining journalistic accountability, with many journalists focusing on securing future governmental roles rather than holding the administration accountable.
According to Ghana Web, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu believes that the current situation is detrimental to the nation, as it stifles critical voices that would traditionally challenge and expose the shortcomings of the government. He argued that the media's role as a watchdog is compromised when journalists are more interested in aligning themselves for potential appointments rather than performing their essential duty of speaking truth to power.
He emphasized the importance of integrity and forthrightness in journalism, urging media professionals to prioritize the truth and the public good over personal career advancements. "The current government has given positions to journalists, so now when you go to media houses, the people there are all lacing their boots for future appointments. So they cannot speak truth to power. They are hoping for a future appointment. That is what is hurting this country. Let's be forthright with ourselves and let us speak the truth as a people," he stated during an interview.