The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) wants Section 208 of the Criminal Offenses Act repealed, as it restricts free speech.

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) is advocating for the repeal of Section 208 of the Criminal Offenses Act, Act 1960, which they believe undermines free speech. This section makes it a misdemeanor to publish or reproduce false statements that could cause fear and alarm to the public or disturb the public peace .

The GJA's General Secretary, Mr. Kofi Yeboah, argues that this law is being abused by the police to target journalists, citing the recent arrest of Wontumi FM's Oheneba Asiedu for allegedly broadcasting false information. Yeboah emphasizes that criminalizing speech is not the solution and that the National Media Commission, as the regulator of the industry, should be the one to address such issues .

This call for repeal is not new, as the Media Foundation for West Africa has also advocated for the repeal of Section 208 and Section 26 of the Electronic Communications Act . The GJA plans to form a team to address this issue and push for the amendment of these laws.

It's worth noting that Ghana's laws on false publication have been criticized for being vague and easily abused. Some argue that these laws are relics of colonial rule and should be updated to reflect modern democratic values .