The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has issued a strong statement reaffirming its dual commitment to defending press freedom and promoting ethical journalism, as the country marked World Press Freedom Day on Friday, May 2.

Speaking during a commemorative ceremony held at the Alisa Hotel in Accra, GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour declared, “We shall not countenance attacks on press freedom, but we shall also not condone irresponsible practices in the media.”

The event, which celebrated the theme “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,” brought together key players in Ghana’s media space to honour excellence while navigating the shifting terrain of digital transformation.

Amid the celebration, the association turned its attention to the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on journalism. Dwumfour noted that while AI offers promising tools such as enhanced data analysis and automatic transcription, it also poses serious risks, including misinformation and deepfake technology.

“The AI revolution is a conversation that we need to have as it will continue to impact our work on a daily basis,” he cautioned. “AI could easily undermine the credibility of the media if not handled responsibly.”

Looking ahead, the GJA president pledged to keep journalists’ welfare at the centre of the association’s mission through initiatives like the Journalists Support Fund.

He also hinted at institutionalising the recognition of media achievers. “It is our intention to make this initiative a permanent feature on the GJA calendar,” he said.

Calling for national collaboration, Mr. Dwumfour appealed to all stakeholders to join efforts in defending the integrity of journalism in the AI age.

“Let us work together to build a media landscape that is free, vibrant, resilient, innovative, and deeply committed to serving the public interest in this rapidly evolving AI era,” he urged.

Reflecting on the legacy of journalism in Ghana, he added: “We stand today on the firm shoulders of giants — the pioneering journalists, editors, and media owners who boldly championed the cause of press freedom in Ghana through political upheavals and economic hardships.”

The GJA also announced plans to rename one of its award categories in honour of a media trailblazer.

The “Best Radio News Reporter” award will be named after Dr. Charles Wereko Brobby, popularly known as “Tarzan,” who played a key role in opening up the private radio space with the launch of Radio Eye.

“We do not only seek to immortalise him,” Dwumfour explained, “but we believe it is important to form some other means of honouring achievers of our time before they die.”

A total of 24 individuals and institutions were honoured for their outstanding contributions to media growth and freedom in Ghana. Among the recipients was Mr. Alex Dade, Executive Chairman of the KGL Group, who received special recognition for his continuous backing of the media sector. Others, including former GJA President Ransford Tetteh (Nana Kwaku Dei) and Mr. Peter Martey Agbeko, were praised for their dedication behind the scenes in strengthening the association.