Parliamentary Press Must Uphold Ethics, Verify AI Content – Dean

The Dean of the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC), Simon Agianab, has urged journalists covering Parliament to uphold professional ethics, verify information generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and strengthen their understanding of constitutional provisions and parliamentary procedures.

He said parliamentary journalism requires more than reporting speeches, political disagreements and activities within the House, emphasising that journalists must possess the constitutional knowledge, professional competence and integrity needed to keep the public accurately informed about parliamentary decisions.

Mr Agianab made the call at a capacity-building workshop for members of the Parliamentary Press Corps in Accra on Thursday, October 15, 2026.

“Parliamentary journalism goes beyond reporting speeches and political disagreements; it requires constitutional knowledge, professional competence, accuracy and a commitment to keeping the public informed about decisions that affect their lives,” he said.

Mr Agianab underscored the importance of understanding parliamentary privileges and immunities under Articles 115 and 116 of the 1992 Constitution.

He explained that these provisions protect freedom of speech and debate in parliamentary proceedings and safeguard Members of Parliament in the performance of their constitutional duties.

However, he cautioned that journalists must report parliamentary proceedings fairly and accurately, distinguishing statements made in the House from facts that have been independently verified.

He also stressed that constitutional protections afforded to parliamentary proceedings do not automatically exempt every publication made outside Parliament from applicable legal and ethical obligations.

The PPC Dean urged parliamentary correspondents to deepen their understanding of institutional rules and legislative procedures to improve the accuracy and quality of their reporting.

He said journalists must be able to distinguish bills from Acts of Parliament, committee recommendations from decisions of the House, and political claims from verified information.

Addressing the growing use of Artificial Intelligence in journalism, Mr Agianab acknowledged that emerging technologies offer significant opportunities to improve parliamentary reporting.

He noted that AI tools could assist journalists in transcribing parliamentary debates, summarising lengthy reports, analysing budgets and researching legislation.

Nevertheless, he warned that these tools should complement, rather than replace, professional judgement and editorial responsibility.

“Journalists must verify AI-generated information against reliable sources, protect confidential information and avoid publishing fabricated quotations or misleading content,” he stressed.

He encouraged journalists to exercise caution when using AI-generated material, noting that the credibility of their reports depended on proper verification and responsible editorial decisions.

Mr Agianab also cautioned journalists against allowing financial pressures, inadequate remuneration and competition for audiences to undermine professional standards.

He said bribery, sensationalism, misinformation and compromised editorial independence weakened the credibility of the media and eroded public trust.

The PPC Dean called on media organisations to provide fair working conditions for journalists and protect them from improper commercial and political influence.

He maintained that journalists must remain committed to ethical reporting regardless of the pressures associated with their work.

According to him, professional integrity is essential to ensuring that parliamentary coverage serves the public interest rather than private, commercial or political agendas.

Mr Agianab encouraged parliamentary journalists to take advantage of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), to obtain relevant public records and strengthen investigative and evidence-based reporting.

He said the law provides an important framework for accessing information held by public institutions and other bodies covered by its provisions, subject to applicable exemptions and procedures.

He urged journalists to familiarise themselves with the process of submitting information requests and the appropriate review or appeal procedures available when access to information is denied.

He noted that effective use of the law could help journalists obtain documentary evidence, scrutinise public decisions and provide audiences with more comprehensive and accurate accounts of parliamentary business.

The PPC Dean further called on parliamentary correspondents to familiarise themselves with Parliament’s Standing Orders and the processes governing legislative business.

These include committee work, motions, amendments, voting procedures and the respective responsibilities of the Speaker and parliamentary leadership.

He also reminded journalists to comply with applicable accreditation and access requirements while maintaining their independence to scrutinise parliamentary activities.

Mr Agianab said the effectiveness of parliamentary journalism depended on constitutional awareness, professional discipline, ethical integrity, technological competence and access to reliable information.

“Journalists must be courageous enough to question authority, independent enough to resist improper inducements and knowledgeable enough to explain parliamentary decisions accurately,” he said.

Mr Agianab also urged Parliament to recognise the media’s legitimate role in promoting transparency and accountability.

He emphasised the need for continuous professional development among parliamentary correspondents to help them respond to changes in technology, law and legislative practice.

“Parliament, in turn, should recognise the media’s legitimate role in promoting transparency and accountability,” he added.

He said the credibility of parliamentary journalism depended not only on the information journalists obtained but also on the integrity with which they verified, interpreted and communicated it to the public.

Mr Agianab called on participants to use the capacity-building workshop as an opportunity to renew their commitment to responsible reporting, professional development and journalism that serves the public interest.