Veteran sports journalist Mr. Kwabena Yeboah has called on sports journalists, particularly members of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), to uphold credibility as the defining standard of modern sports journalism.
Mr. Yeboah made the call during his keynote address at the SWAG Volta Eighth Anniversary Public Lecture, held in Ho, the capital of the Volta Region.
Dignitaries in Attendance
The event was chaired by the Volta Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association, Dr. Harrison Kofi Belley, and attracted a wide range of dignitaries. Among those present were the Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu, representatives from various institutions, sports federations and associations, student athletes, members of the public, and media practitioners.
‘Speed Without Verification Is Recklessness’
In his address, the seasoned commentator observed that the rise of digital media has created an environment in which “everyone with a smartphone is a publisher”, often at the expense of accuracy and ethical standards.
“The question is no longer who can publish; the question is who can be trusted?” he said.
He urged journalists to resist the pressures of immediacy, cautioning that “speed without verification is not journalism – it is recklessness”.
Five Non-Negotiable Principles
Mr. Yeboah further outlined five core principles he described as “non-negotiable” for sports journalists:
- Accuracy
- Ethics
- Purposeful criticism
- Commitment to the national interest
- Responsibility to drive development
Anniversary Celebration
The lecture formed part of activities marking the eighth anniversary of the Volta Regional Chapter of SWAG.
