The Association of Women in the Media (ASWIM) has condemned the recent remarks by Onua FM and TV’s Morning Show host, Captain Smart, against female sports journalists in the country.
In a statement, the association described as unfortunate and irresponsible the postulations of the controversial presenter that the Black Stars were eliminated from the 2022 World Cup tournament because the female sports journalists had been engaging in intimate relationships with some members of the playing body.
Captain Smart also reportedly asked the Ghana Football Association to bar female sports journalists from covering assignments on the national team.
Reacting to his remarks, ASWIM considered it surprising why Captain Smart would associate the poor performance of the team with his “baseless” allegation.
“ASWIM finds it absurd and very difficult to understand why, of all the technical reasons that can undermine a soccer team’s performance, Captain Smart chose such a baseless and malicious allegation to make his point. His action does not only demonstrate his limitations in engaging in professional sports analysis but also his lack of appreciation for professional journalism.”
The statement continued: “Captain Smart must understand that responsibility is at the core of professional journalism and that its demands include the careful collection of facts, talking to credible sources, discerning the information, and presenting it in an impartial and responsible manner in the public interest. Again, journalism ethics demand objectivity, honesty, and the willingness of practitioners to retract or correct inaccurate information.
The association asked Captain Smart to withdraw his statement and render an unqualified apology to all female sports journalists in particular and women in the media in general.
It also called on his employers, Media General, to call him to order for failing to uphold the ethics of the journalism profession.
“The Association urges all women in the media not to be deterred by comments that seek to undermine their noble efforts and successes but to continue to distinguish themselves in their areas of specialization for nation-building,” the statement added.
