The Northern Regional Chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has cautioned journalists and social commentators in the region to be cautious of comments they would make on the 2012 election petition, pending at the Supreme Court, so that they would not be cited for contempt.
A statement jointly signed by Mr Caesar Abagali, Regional Chairman of the GJA, and Mr Mohammed Nurudeen Salifu, Regional Secretary of the GJA, copied to the GNA, said: “radio stations and media practitioners as well as social commentators in Tamale have been giving negative twists to the election petition”, which needed to be halted.
It said the some social commentators and media practitioners in the region allegedly give wrong interpretations to proceedings of the court to suit their own agenda, ‘’which the GJA considers unethical, reckless and irresponsible’’.
The statement said: “The GJA, therefore, wishes to bring to the notice of those involved that the association is monitoring commentaries and negative reportage on the election petition within the region, and we also wish to caution radio stations, media practitioners and social commentators to desist from the act until the case is over to bring peace after the court ruling”.
According to the statement, the GJA was particularly entreating managers of radio stations and hosts of discussions and political talk-shows to be firm in ensuring that people who use their platform play to the rules and nothing else.
It said the 1992 Constitution enjoins the media as gatekeepers and agenda setters to inform educate and entertain the public without any censorship or harassment.
The statement, however, reminded journalists that the same Constitution cautioned that in enjoying freedoms there should be respect and protection of the reputations, rights and freedoms of others as well as adhering to laws on national security, public order and morality.
“We, therefore, need to remind ourselves at each time of these constitutional provisions if we desire to remain privileged.
“Ghana is at a critical moment in its history, and we are obliged as members of the fourth estate of the realm to throw our weight behind the judiciary to steer the rudder to a safe point”.
The statement said it would not be in the interest of journalists for the country to go down the lane of chaos and anarchy, as happened in other countries simply because some individuals had decided to use the freedom of speech to denigrate the revered judges of the Supreme Court.
It asked the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party and other protagonists in the election petition to abide by the decision of the Supreme Court and not to do anything to undermine its decision.
The statement called on the law enforcement agencies to deal with any person or group of persons who might act irresponsibly.
It said the GJA would remain responsible, and continue to play its role to deepen the democratic dispensation of the country.
