Alban Bagbin backs bill for mandatory journalist certification

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has announced his support for a Private Member's Bill that would require journalists to obtain professional certification before being employed in the public sector. The proposed legislation aims to establish a formal chartering framework, ensuring that media practitioners adhere to strict ethical codes and professional standards. Bagbin emphasized that the initiative is intended to enhance accountability and professionalism within the industry, providing a structured foundation for journalism as a public service.

The move has been welcomed by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), whose leadership recently met with the Speaker to discuss the state of the media. GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour highlighted that poor economic conditions and inadequate remuneration for journalists have negatively impacted Ghana's ranking on the World Press Freedom Index. Since 2019, the country has seen a decline in its press freedom standing, a trend the association believes can be reversed through better legislative support for professional standards and improved welfare for practitioners.

Bagbin reassured stakeholders that the proposed certification process would not infringe upon press freedom. Instead, he argued that formal recognition, similar to other professional bodies, would protect the integrity of the profession and ensure that the public sector is served by qualified individuals. The Speaker expressed readiness to facilitate the bill's passage, noting that improving the economic and professional status of journalists is essential for a healthy democracy.

As the bill moves forward, it is expected to undergo thorough review to balance regulatory requirements with the constitutional rights of the media. This framework represents a significant shift toward professionalizing journalism in Ghana, with the potential to improve both the quality of reporting and the livelihoods of those in the media sector. By institutionalizing certification, the legislature and the GJA aim to restore Ghana’s reputation as a bastion of media excellence on the continent.