Mr Francis Agboste, NDC-Ho East, on Wednesday criticised the government over its decision to repeal the criminal libel law, saying the media are not responsible enough to deserve such a deal.
According to him, the law provides for the needed remedy for deliberate defamation of public figures who are usually targets of blackmail. The member was contributing to the debate on the president's sessional address in Parliament.
He said the civil remedy being proposed by the anti-criminal libel law groups is not very effective since fines imposed on the guilty are hardly paid.
Mr Agboste cautioned the President to reconsider his stand since he may even fall victim to blackmailers hiding behind the press. The member insisted that no one has ever suffered imprisonment for falling foul of that particular law.
This attracted heckling from members who were calmed by the Speaker, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, who told the member that had it not been the fact that he was debarred from contributing to debates, he would have given him examples.
Mr Abraham Osei-Aidoo, NPP-Tema West, said the law would be repealed since the government is committed to the creation of a congenial atmosphere for free speech and expression.
He said even if the law is left to stand dormant, the threat would still linger in people's minds and that will not augur well for the nation. Mr Adjei Yeboah, NPP-Tano South, condemned politicians who see themselves as guardians of the media.
"It is the press that help politicians to come to the limelight and when they get what they want, they hide behind laws to cow the media. "I will not be surprised if one of these days we are called to debate a legislation to determine the type of pen and camera journalists are supposed to use."
Mrs Comfort Owusu, NDC-Mfanstiman East, appealed to Ghanaians to keep the peace, and urged politicians to begin the peace crusade with their followers.
