Press Freedom Day: GOG recognizes significance of the Press in the fight against COVID-19 Pandemic

Government has congratulated all journalists in Ghana as the world marks Press Freedom Day today.

This year’s celebration is being marked globally under the theme “Journalism without Fear or Favour”.

The theme focuses on the significant role the Press is playing in the ongoing COVID-19 situation, and how they contribute to public education by providing verified information which helps in curbing the spread of the virus.

A statement issued in Accra and signed by Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said government celebrate the significant role the Press is playing in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“Their reporting and publishing of information on preventive etiquette is contributing positively in this fight” he added.

Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said the Akufo-Addo administration has being working closely with the Media and other stakeholders in disseminating information and educating the public as part of a broader COVID-19 Government response.

“The Media, as the President in one of such engagements described, is an “invaluable ally” in the fight against COVID-19”

The statement said “We are hopeful that together, we will defeat this pandemic in the shortest possible time and continue with initiatives to make the media and broadcasting space increasingly productive”

The Director General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), also in a statement indicated that “at a time when we are mired in worry and uncertainty because of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, free information is essential to helping us face, understand, think about and overcome this crisis. We must consider the vital importance of information in this situation: informing the public means giving everyone the means of combating the illness by adopting appropriate practices”.

Find the statement below: