The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has issued a warning to security agencies, demanding swift investigations and criminal prosecution of officers involved in recent attacks on journalists across the country.
According to the association, the growing pattern of violence, intimidation and threats against media practitioners posed a serious threat to press freedom and the country’s democratic order.
Fire service
Addressing a press conference in Accra yesterday, January 28, the President of the GJA, Albert Dwumfour, welcomed President John Dramani Mahama’s directive to interdict officers of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) implicated in the recent assault on Class FM’s reporter, Samuel Addo, in Kasoa.
However, he criticised the leadership of the GNFS for what he called a deafening silence over the status of its internal investigations.
“To date, the GNFS administration has failed to publicly brief the nation on the status of its internal investigations into this shameful incident. Any further silence will be interpreted as complicity and an attempt to shield wrongdoing,” Mr Dwumfour stated.
He demanded that the GNFS publicly release its findings and sanctions within 14 days, warning that failure to do so would be interpreted as complicity and could attract sanctions, including a possible blacklist.
Mr Dwumfour also renewed calls for the removal of the GNFS Public Relations Officer, whom he said was unfit for the position.
Police assault
The GJA further called on the Inspector-General of Police to ensure the prosecution of all persons involved in the Kasoa assault, stressing that internal disciplinary measures alone were insufficient.
He also condemned what he described as a barbaric attack on UTV and Peace FM Eastern Regional Correspondent, Michael Akrofi, allegedly by a police officer at the Tafo–Kukurantumi Formed Police Unit in the Eastern Region.
Mr Akrofi was reportedly assaulted while covering a farmers’ protest against crop destruction by Fulani herdsmen.
According to the GJA President, the journalist was held by the neck multiple times, leading to injuries to his neck, back and waist.
Despite a formal report to the Eastern Regional Police Command, he said no feedback had been given to the victim as of the time of the press conference.
He, therefore, demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the officer involved.
Military assault
Mr Dwumfour also raised concerns over an alleged assault by military personnel on Media General North East Regional Correspondent and GJA Regional Secretary, Solomon Kwame Kanaluwe, in Walewale on January 26.
Mr Kanaluwe was reportedly beaten with sticks and canes, detained briefly, and had content deleted from his phone after identifying himself as a journalist.
Mr Dwumfour called on the military high command to urgently investigate the incident and sanction those responsible, warning that repeated attacks by persons in military uniform were damaging public confidence in the armed forces.
He also referenced the unresolved assault on a JoyNews journalist during a demolition exercise in Accra in July last year.
Bawku conflict
Beyond physical attacks, the GJA President expressed grave concern over death threats and online incitement against journalists covering the Bawku conflict in the Upper East Region, particularly against the Upper East Regional Chairman of the Association, Albert Sore.
“We are formally designating the Bawku conflict area as an early warning zone for press safety.
The GJA will not accept a reactive approach where action is only taken after harm has been done,” he said.
NPP primary
Mr Dwumfour also called on the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to guarantee the safety of journalists during its upcoming presidential primary, warning that it would monitor the process nationwide and “name and shame” perpetrators of violence against the media.
As part of what he described as non-negotiable red lines,he insisted that no journalist should be assaulted, threatened, obstructed or have equipment confiscated while performing lawful duties and that all criminal acts against journalists would be prosecuted in open court.
He further warned that attacks on journalists amounted to attacks on the country’s democracy, adding that the GJA would escalate cases nationally and internationally where institutions failed to act.
“Press freedom is not a privilege granted by the state, but a constitutional right guaranteed under the 1992 Constitution.
Where journalists are attacked, we demand justice. Where journalists are threatened, we demand protection,” he said.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh