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By: Ruth Tang
The issue of attacks on journalists dates back to the pre-colonial era when media establishments, initially newspapers, emerged in 1822. Unfortunately, this remains a significant concern even today.
Journalists encounter brutality, often perpetrated by prominent figures including politicians, while carrying out their professional duties. This raises questions about the necessity of ensuring adequate protection for journalists. Additionally, there is a growing demand for clarification regarding the actions undertaken by the National Media Commission (NMC) to address these challenges and safeguard the well-being of journalists.
Recently, there have been reported cases of two journalists who suffered attacks in the cause of their duties; Mohammed Amidu Alabira, a Citi FM Northern regional correspondent was attacked by the Member of Parliament for Yendi Constituency, Farouk Aliu Mahama, while covering the NPP parliamentary primaries.
Aside from this, supporters of the MP for Awutu Senya East, Mavis Hawa Koomson, were accused of attacking a journalist in the Central region. This triggered the members of the Ghana Journalists Association(GJA) to call for media houses to boycott the two parties involved in the assault. However, the Chairman of the National Media Council(NMC) Yaw Boadu Ayeboafo indicated that the act was not effective and productive enough to yield a satisfactory result. He described such actions as ‘dysfunctional and ‘unproductive’ in addressing the issues of attacks on journalists.
“I still hold the position that while it is disheartening for journalists to be attacked violently, the unilateral resolve to black out or boycott MPs is not the most productive reaction. We cannot fight impunity with impunity. I will support any effort to ensure that justice is done against all such deviant acts, rather than blackout or boycott. We must follow the rule of law and due process. Condemning such acts is in order but not the boycotts” he said.
