Founder of Class Media Group, Alhaji Seidu Agongo, has pledged to position Accra TV as a trusted platform for accurate information, public dialogue and accountability, stressing that credibility remains the media’s most valuable asset.
He said the newly launched television station would uphold the principles of accuracy, fairness, consistency and accountability in its commitment to serving the public.
Speaking at the launch of Accra TV, Alhaji Agongo identified declining public trust in institutions and leadership as a major challenge confronting societies, arguing that the media had a critical responsibility to help restore confidence through responsible journalism.
“Beyond the excitement of a new station, I want us gathered here to reflect on something far more important: trust,” he said.
According to him, trust is fundamental to relationships among individuals, institutions and communities, enabling citizens to believe in their leaders, employees to have confidence in employers and businesses to maintain relationships with customers.
However, he observed that trust had come under increasing pressure in recent times, with citizens questioning the motives of leaders and workers expressing concerns about fairness in the workplace.
“The challenge of our time is not a lack of information. We are surrounded by information. The challenge is determining what is credible, what is transparent, and what is true,” he stated.
Alhaji Agongo said the situation placed a greater responsibility on the media to serve as a reliable link between institutions and the public by ensuring that information disseminated was credible, balanced and properly verified.
He cautioned that the media’s ability to perform this role effectively depended largely on the trust it earned from its audience.
“I have realized over time that trust cannot be demanded. Indeed, trust gotten through demands is unsustainable. Rather, it must be earned,” he emphasised.
He explained that media organisations could earn public confidence by verifying information before publication, prioritising public education over sensationalism and demonstrating the willingness to correct errors when they occurred.
“Trust is earned through accuracy, fairness, consistency and accountability. It is earned when we verify before we publish, when we inform rather than inflame, and when we have the courage to correct whenever we err. Afterall, isn’t it to err is human?” he asked.
The Class Media Group founder maintained that credibility, rather than investments in studios, cameras and transmission equipment, had been the organisation’s most valuable asset and would remain central to Accra TV’s operations.
“At Class Media Group, the umbrella body of Accra TV, our most valuable asset has not been our studios, cameras or transmitters. Our most valuable asset has been and will continue to be our credibility,” he said.
Drawing on his experience as an entrepreneur, Alhaji Agongo said the true measure of trust was demonstrated not when circumstances were favourable, but when maintaining transparency became difficult.
“For me as a businessman who has seen almost all the cycles of life and entrepreneurship, the real litmus test of trust is not what we do when things are easy. It is what we do when transparency is difficult,” he noted.
He assured viewers, partners and other stakeholders that Accra TV would be guided by a commitment to responsible broadcasting, public engagement and accountability.
“As we launch Accra TV this evening, let me reassure our stakeholders, particularly our audience and viewers that we are committing ourselves to being a trusted platform for facts, dialogue and accountability. We will be a platform that listens, informs and serves,” he said.
Alhaji Agongo expressed appreciation to staff and audiences of the Class Media Group for their dedication, loyalty and continued support, which he said had sustained the organisation through challenging and favourable periods.
He also thanked stakeholders for believing in the group’s vision and called for a collective commitment to building a culture of trust.
“For we know and appreciate that when trust grows, societies prosper, businesses succeed, and democracy flourishes,” he added.
The launch of Accra TV marks an addition to the Class Media Group’s media operations, with its founder expressing confidence that the station would strengthen the group’s commitment to credible journalism and public service.
