NMC Condems Attacks On Journalists

The National Media Commission has learnt with concern the increasing incidents of physical attacks and harassment of Ghanaian journalists in the course of their duty to inform and educate the public. Two recent incidents serve to underline this disturbing developing.

In the first case a Daily Graphic reporter, Daniel Kenu, was allegedly assaulted by a group of people allegedly linked to Mr. Asamoah Gyan, the Captain of the Black Stars. The assault is reported to have occurred shortly after the journalist asked a question at a press conference organised by the Ghana Football Association ahead of the Ghana-Uganda AFCON qualifier at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

In the second incident, the Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly is reported to have ordered the arrest of a Multi TV driver and the harassment of two journalists, Joojoh Cobbinah and Festus Solomon, when the journalists were doing their routine work at Mensah Guinea, an Accra suburb.

Such assaults and similar unwarranted attacks on media professionals and other people working for media organisations constitute a threat to press freedom, and an affront to Ghana’s constitution and ordinary decencies in our society and nation.

The NMC unreservedly condemns these assaults urges the police to investigate the two incidents thoroughly and take all appropriate measures to protect journalists in the performance of their duties.

AMBASSADOR KABRAL BLAY-AMIHERE

(CHAIRMAN)

I have always admired the Regional Police Commander for Ashanti Region, but my respect for him has gone a notch higher. He has demonstrated that we still have cause to have hope in our country and in our police. He has been very professional in the handling of this case of Daniel Kenu. I am also encouraged in his assertion that no institution or person has called to influence the way this case is handled. As he said the police have done their bit, what is left is for the judiciary to do their bit.

My prayer is that the AG on whose behalf that the police act will do their best in ensuring that the case is prosecuted so well, with all the evidence that is required to ensure that justice is done. We have every confidence that that the AG & the Police prosecutors and the judiciary. We on our part as Graphic will ensure that we shine so much light on the case that no wrong could be done. Journalist have always been accused of not giving their issues the necessary attention. This will not happen, I am sure not only from the Graphic Stable, but all the media so that we make it unpalatable, unprofitable and unacceptable for anybody to beat or attack any journalist. This is our freedoms and rights that is on trial as a people. 

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