GJA on Parliament's reaction to Africa Watch magazine's ratings

Accra, Nov. 1, GNA - The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has extended its compliments and congratulations to the Speaker of Parliament, Mrs Joyce Bamford Addo, on her service to democracy and humanity.

"The outrage expressed by MPs against the publication by Africa Watch magazine, rating the performance of MPs has come to our attention. We very much understand the anger expressed by MPs", said a release from the Association and copied to the Ghana News Agency. It said the GJA, however, wished to express deep concern over parliament's decision to question the legitimacy of the magazine to carry out such a rating and its decision to summon its editor, Steve Mallory, before the House's Privileges Committee.

"We consider Parliament's interest in the matter legitimate but we think the House's mode of seeking clarification of the methodology adopted by the magazine through summoning its editor before the Privileges Committee as rather intimidating and not in the spirit of the Ghanaian Constitution", the statement said.

It added that the constitution categorically states in Article 162 (4) that "Editors and publishers of newspapers and other institutions of the mass media shall not be subject to control or interference by government, nor shall they be penalized or harassed for their editorial opinions and views, or the content of their publications."

On that score, the GJA indicated that Parliament had overreacted in the matter and recommend that the House sent a rejoinder to the magazine and additionally, explored avenues for a dialogue with the Editor on how the House felt such a rating should be conducted to make it acceptable to all and sundry, including MPs. The National Media Commission could be the mediator in a dialogue with the Africa Watch magazine with the Editors Forum, Ghana and the GJA as observers, in order to reach an amicable settlement, the statement suggested. 01 Nov. 10