The General Secretary of the Association and Editor of the Ghanaian Times, Dave Agbenu, on the Citi Breakfast Show said: “We should not confuse ‘soli’ with bribe or an inducement to influence the performance of a journalist’s professional duties. We must be careful not to equate soli to bribery and corruption.”
His reaction comes on the back of comments made by the British High Commissioner, Jon Benjamin, that media practitioners in Ghana open themselves up for possible influence and inducement when they demand or accept ‘soli’ after news events.
Mr. Benjamin’s remarks have revived the age-long debate over the implications of journalists taking ‘soli.’
But Mr. Agbenu laid the blame at the doorstep of event organizers, whom according to him, have been advised that they are under no obligation to give journalists transportation when they cover assignments.
“It seems to be getting worse because event organizers have eventually perpetuated this act and it’s becoming difficult to control it,” he said.
This, he said, “fuels this perception that journalists are being bribed to do their work.”
The GJA General Secretary was however quick to add that sometimes, event organizers can be excused because “wherever they will take you might be a bit out of the jurisdiction of the media institution and the media institution might not be able to transport the journalist.”
He also pointed out that in the Association’s code of conduct, it is spelt out that “journalists should not accept bribe or any form of inducement to influence the performance of his or her professional duties.”
“What it means is that you should not go out there to ask for money or be given money to come and write your story.”
