Nkawkaw, Aug. 11, GNA - The Director of Radio, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Mr Yaw Owusu-Addo, has advised journalists to always write accurate and balanced reports and not to be biased in their reportage. He said it was only by being objective in their reportage that they will win the respect, admiration and credibility of readers, listeners and viewers.

Addressing the first conference of correspondents of the Nkawkaw-based "Obuoba FM" station on Thursday, Mr Owusu-Addo asked journalists to avoid defaming others since they could face heavy damages for libel.

The Director cautioned them that journalism was not "a tea party", saying it could even be "a dangerous profession", adding that last year alone, a total of 560 journalists were killed in various parts of the world. Mr. Owusu-Addo said the journalist could build or destroy a nation, make or mar society or the individual.

He described the radio as a powerful tool for development, adding that in Africa, radio should concern itself with development issues. According him, in Ghana, about 70 per cent of the population could be effectively informed of what was happening around the world in their own languages through radio.

Mr K. Daffour, who chaired the conference, noted that journalists played a great role in nation building and urged the correspondents of the station to practice responsible journalism by presenting both sides of an issue.

Mr. Kwaku Dankwa of the Obuoba management, asked the correspondents to live up to expectation to raise the image of the station.