Judiciary trains journalists on court reporting
Justice Yaw Appau, Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeal has called on media practitioners to be circumspect, particularly when they are reporting on court issues in order not to misinform the public.
He explained that as the fourth realm of the land, one of its duties is to educate the public, and advised practitioners to ensure that what they are impacting to their audience was the right thing.
Justice Appau was speaking at a two-day seminar for journalists on court proceedings and how the justice system operates in Ghana, held in Kumasi, at the court of appeal premises.
The objective of the workshop was to help participants understand the judicial system, equip them to report accurately on court proceedings, devoid exaggerations, distortions or sensationalism, court room etiquette, as well as knowing the powers of judges and contempt of court.
Participants were taken through topics such as the justice system, hierarchy of the court and how to address the various judges, court connected alternative dispute resolution (ADR), Electronic-justice, court room language and terminologies.
It was organised in conjunction with the Judicial Training Institute (JTI) and the Department for International Development (DFID).
Justice Appau said not all judges are justices, as some reporters portray in their reportage and that those at the high court, court of appeal as well as the supreme courts are mainly judges.
Some journalists also end up exposing juveniles in criminal issues, rape and defilement victims, instead of protecting their interest or lose the magnitude of rape cases with the way they make fun of it in order to sell their publications, and cautioned that they should watch the way they treat traumatized people.
He advised the media to help champion the good state of prisons in the country, for instance and others than always talking about politics.
Justice Samuel Marful-Sau, Justice of the Court of Appeal and the Director of the JTI urged the media to help promote the ADR system, since that is less expensive, participatory, allows parties to express their emotions, reduces the court’s load, saves time and brings parties together unlike litigation (inherited from the British), which is not serving the needs of the people.
He called on them to rather see the court registrar, a lawyer, among other experts, for explanation of things they do not understand before publishing, rather than using their own understanding to distort the facts.
Justice Ofori Atta, a High Court Judge said, the law of contempt which is used sparingly, is not to protect the judge but to protect and respect the dignity of the court, adding that, it should be respected to ensure the smooth running of the court.
Mr Robert Cudjoe, Director of ICT, Judicial Service, said the court would soon be automated, and that plans are underway to get staff on board the 24 million dollar project funded by the World Bank.
Certificates of participation were given to the journalists after the training.
Source: GNA