Kufuor’s gov’t wont prosecute Journalists on criminal libel

Ms Elizabeth Ohene, Public Affairs Adviser to the President has said no journalist will be prosecuted under the criminal libel law by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

Contributing to a Radio Ghana programme, "Godwin on the Beat", Ms Ohene said, there is difference between the right to information bill and the criminal libel law. The right to information bill seeks to empower researchers and journalists to request for information from government officials, to have access to information without let or hindrance on some key issues for public consumption.


It is believed in some circles that the right to information would prevent journalists from falling into the dangerous yawning mouth of the criminal libel law that have come under attack for repeal.


Top journalists who contributed to the programme, with Mr Godwin Avenorgbor, Acting Director of Radio, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation as host, also discussed accreditation of journalists to cover the Presidency.


The panel comprised Professor Kwame Karikari of the School of Communications Studies, Legon, Mrs Gifty Affenyi-Dadzie, President of the Ghana Journalists Association and Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission.

They were of the consensus that journalists should be adequately equipped to make them independent in the discharge of their duties. This will eliminate the tendency for journalists to sacrifice their professional efficiency for favours from newsmakers.


Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh said those who cover the President should not be more equipped than the correspondents in the rural areas, especially those in the Northern regions or those engaged on other beats.


He said journalists should be bold to defend their work because "many top level officials know next to nothing about journalism". Mr Avenorgbor said the position of journalists could be compromised if they have to depend on politicians or other newsmakers for transport to send them to and from assignments.


The panel shared the view that senior journalists should cover specific important issues on which they could become authorities and be able to write memoirs for public edification. Mrs Affenyi-Dadzie said the GJA will continue to fight for the repeal of the criminal libel law.