Journalists to drag their attackers to court

Accra, Sept. 21, GNA - The Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) on Thursday declared that it would be dragging those in the habit of attacking journalists to court.

The GJA said it has consulted its 'solicitors and will now drag before court anybody or group of persons who will attack media practitioners in the line of duty.'

A statement Mr Bright Blewu, GJA General Secretary, signed said the =93Association is contemplating court action because although it has in the recent past issued statements condemning such barbaric and infantile behaviour of people it considers to be enemies of democracy, particularly of free expression and press freedom, the condemnations alone seem not to be serving as a deterrent.'

The increase in the flagrant abuse of the human rights of journalists and the bold intimidation of the media by individuals in recent times is worrying.

The statement said: 'The latest is the one on a photographer of 'The Independent' newspapers and two journalists of 93The Inquirer=94 newspaper by the wife of Dr Richard Anane and two of her accomplices described as macho men.'

The incident took place on Friday when CHRAJ presented its report in which it indicted Dr Anane for perjury, conflict of interest and abuse of office and recommended his dismissal.

The rising incidence of physical attacks on the media by individuals poses a serious threat to press freedom and the right of the people to know.

Nobody has the right to attack media personnel for disagreeing with the work they do.

It appealed to Ghanaians, particularly, civil society groups, churches and indeed all lovers of peace and democracy, to take the threat of violence against the media seriously and to impress upon people they know to have such intentions and ideas to abandon them. =93We call on the Minister of the Interior and the Inspector General of Police to take seriously, the rising incidents of violence against the media and to devise ways of stemming the tide by apprehending people who are seen or identified to have put up such anti-democracy behaviour.'

The statement said the GJA remained committed to media accountability and its responsible use.

It said it would continue to encourage journalists to be sensitive to the rights of others, respect the Code of Ethics and give the necessary respect to mechanisms, both constitutional and institutional, to promote the seeking of redress and encouraging tolerance in the exercise of free expression and press freedom.