The Convention People's Party (CPP) on Wednesday threw its weight behind Kwesi Pratt Jnr., Editor of the "Insight", in the alleged $125,000 bribe story saying it had become a protracted smear campaign being waged in the media against him.
In a statement signed in Accra by Dr Nii Noi Dowuona, the CPP said it is dismayed that an issue, which potentially could affect the integrity of the media, was "handled in a manner that has given greater room for speculation rather than establishing the alleged act." Pratt is an executive member of the CPP.
It said the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), by its delay in coming out with the report of its Ethics Committee, unconsciously fuelled the fire of speculation. "The report that the Editor of the Accra Daily Mail refused to abide by the directives of the Committee to disclose the source of the paper's story on the matter is rather unfortunate and could undermine the credibility of the GJA."
The CPP said its Central Committee finds the linkage between the alleged "bribe-taking" and the purported stance of Mr Pratt on an alliance with the ruling New Patriotic Party as "diversionary tactics".
The statement said the CPP's position on relation with other political parties was resolved at the First National Delegates' Congress held in 1999. The congress "unambiguously" mandated the Central Committee to merge with parties of the Nkrumaists tradition only, the statement said.
The CPP said it believes that journalists must uphold the ethics that govern their practice to give credence to the media as the Fourth Estate. "As a political party determined to pursue truth in all matters, the CPP calls on the GJA to expeditiously come out with its final position on the matter so that whosoever may be found to have engaged in any malpractice is made to face appropriate sanctions."
