Journalist Cited In Blackmail Case Dismissed

The management of New Times Corporation has summarily dismissed, William Fayorsey, a reporter of the ‘Ghanaian Times” newspaper from the corporation with effect from today, September 14, 2001 for blackmailing an Indian Businessman.

A statement issued by the corporation explained that it found Mr. Fayorsey’s conduct unacceptable and a breach of both the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) code of ethics and Article 25 of the corporation’s collective agreement.

Mr. Fayorsey investigated a story that was carried on the front page of the Ghanaian Times of August 29, that the Indian Director of Blowplast Company, Jakdish Lakhiani has assaulted a Ghanaian worker of the company resulting in injuries on his scrotum and other parts of his body.

According to the statement, after the publication, the Editor of ‘Ghanaian Times’ received a faxed message from Akuffo Addo, Prempeh and Co, Legal Advisors of Mr. Lakhiani indicating that the story was a fabrication and the result of a failed attempt to blackmail their client. The solicitors indicated that they had a recorded tape of the transaction between Fayorsey and Lakhiani, which they would give to an Accra FM station if the paper failed to retract the story and apologise to their client.

Based on the information, the Editor caused the story to be double checked and it was established that there was no doubt about the truthfulness of the story because Mr. Fayorsey interviewed the Police, officials of the Trades Union Congress, the alleged victim, Mr. Lakhiani and the medical doctor who treated the victim, to come out with an authentic story. The management therefore had to deal with the conduct of the reporter who demanded money from Mr. Lakhiani.

Mr Fayorsey who was on leave was recalled and given a query. After investigations, it came out that Mr. Fayorsey was invited by Mr. Lakhiani’s to his house where negotiations on the possibility of dropping the story in exchange for money was discussed. “What management cannot condone is the fact that Mr Fayorsey not only refused to decline a monetary offer but demanded over and above what he was initially offered in exchange of dropping a credible story,” the statement said.

Mr Fayorsey initially denied having demanded money until the tape was played to him. He is also alleged to have claimed that he was acting as an undercover agent although nobody in the corporation knew about it. In the circumstance, management had no alternative than to sack him.