7th August,2025.
PRESS RELEASE
OPAG Cautions Against Sharing/Publishing of Charred Images of “the Gallant 8”
The Online Publishers Association of Ghana(OPAG) has learnt with disdain the publishing of charred images of the fallen heroes in the Wednesday Helicopter crash.
President of OPAG, Michael Petit Komla. Mawugbe (Efo Mawugbe).
In as much as OPAG recognizes information dissemination as far as this tragic incident is concerned, it is important for persons in the online space to however thread cautiously as what they publish has tendency of aggravating the emotional stress families of the deceased are going through. Since the news broke out yesterday, we have cited videos and images of charred bodies of the Gallant eight, a situation OPAG finds reprehensible.
As Journalists in the online space, “ethics, as echoed by Joseph Pulitzer is as sacrosanct as the news itself” hence publishing images/videos of a dead body can be disrespectful to the person who has died, as well as to their family and loved ones. The dead should at all times be accorded respect so that nothing untoward is done while we perform religious, customs and cultural activities to bid a befitting farewell.
Respecting the privacy of individuals and protecting confidential sources are essential aspects of media ethics. Similarly, the deceased and their family have a right to privacy, which can be violated by publishing such images or videos.
It is essential to note that graphic images or videos of a dead body can be seen as reducing their tragedy to a sensationalized image/video and exploiting the deceased person’s tragedy for the sake of attracting readers or viewers, rather than serving a legitimate journalistic purpose.
Ethical considerations
It is in the light of the Code of Ethics, governing Journalists that OPAG advise against publishing images/videos of dead bodies unless they serve a compelling public interest.
OPAG takes this opportunity to condole the families of the Gallant Eight.
SIGNED:
Michael Petit Komla Mawugbe
(Efo Mawugbe)
PRESIDENT
0244883575
