Speaker recalls MPS to discuss state of emergency

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) said on Tuesday that after a consultative meeting with senior practitioners, it had noted that the directive from the Minister of Information that all media houses should submit their news reports on the Dagbon crisis for vetting "is unworkable".

It said the GJA was, therefore, arranging for a meeting with the Minister of Information, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey to seek clarification on the implementation of the directive.

A statement signed by the GJA President, Mrs Gifty Affenyi-Dadzie said: "While the GJA is making moves to resolve the matter amicably, it recognises the need for all media houses to be circumspect in their reporting of the Dagbon crisis and all other conflicts with a potential for national destabilisation."

The GJA said in the meantime; "the GJA insists that all journalists and media houses should abide by the provisions of the GJA Code of Ethics." The GJA said it remains committed to the ideals of free expression, peace and national cohesion as well as professional responsibility.

The Minister of Information and Presidential Affairs on Saturday directed media houses to clear all news items on the Dagbon affair with his Ministry before publication. "I am with the authority of the President serving you notice that unless you are reporting an official release from my office you should clear any other news items on the Dagbon affair with the Ministry," the Minister said in a statement.

The statement explained that under the Emergency Powers Act of 1994, the President had powers to censor any news emanating from or about the area affected by the state of emergency.