Legal practitioner and host of JoyNews Newsfile, Samson Lardy Anyenini has urged female journalists to be firm in performing their duties, and not be intimidated by the male dominance in the media field.

He was speaking as a facilitator of a two-day event in Accra to train female journalists on safe election reporting, organised by the Alliance for Women in Media Africa and sponsored by UNESCO.

"Being a woman should not circumscribe your role as a journalist," Mr Anyenini said, indicating that although journalism is a male-dominated profession, it should not intimidate women in the field.

He said that as the 2024 election draws close, journalists should report without abusing the law of freedom of speech by sharing information that could put them in danger.

"There is freedom before speech, but freedom after speech will not be guaranteed," he noted.

Mr Anyenini emphasised that journalists are the mouthpiece of the Ghanaian people, and no government official should consider themselves more important than journalists.

“Journalists should not be victims of electoral violence,” he said.

He urged journalists to prioritise their safety, familiarise themselves with basic election laws, and report accurately.

"Know basic election laws, be conscious of your safety and report accurately," he admonished.

He also observed that journalism inherently carries risks, and when journalists become victims, they should preserve evidence to bring perpetrators to justice.

Additionally, wearing media jackets for identification can dispel concerns that being identified on election grounds will put journalists in danger.

"Journalism is a risky job, and when you become a victim, you may be harmed and not receive justice if you destroy evidence… Preserve your evidence to bring bullies to book as a deterrent to other bullies," Mr Anyenini stated.