By: Sethh Opoku Agyemang, Sunyani
The Global Media Foundation, GLOMEF, has strongly condemned the alleged assault on a journalist of Class Media by officers of the Ghana National Fire Service, describing the act as unacceptable and unprofessional.
In a statement issued 0n Wednessday said violence against journalists performing their lawful duties poses a serious threat to press freedom and Ghana’s democratic values.
The Foundation stressed that journalists are public-interest workers whose safety must be guaranteed at all times, adding that any attempt to intimidate or brutalise media practitioners undermines transparency, accountability, and the public’s right to information as guaranteed under the 1992 Constitution.
GLOMEF noted that the incident violates professional standards, internal service regulations, and Ghana’s obligations under international human rights conventions on freedom of expression and press freedom.
The media advocacy group, however, commended President John Dramani Mahama for publicly condemning the incident and calling for an independent investigation. GLOMEF is urging the Presidency and relevant oversight institutions to ensure a transparent and time-bound inquiry that leads to accountability and institutional reforms.
The Foundation also expressed concern that the incident forms part of a recurring pattern of attacks on journalists in the country. It cited past assaults on journalists covering election-related disturbances at Ayawaso West Wuogon, security operations and demolitions in Accra and Kumasi, protests and public demonstrations, as well as enforcement exercises affecting community and regional journalists.
According to GLOMEF, these incidents reflect a worrying culture of impunity that must be decisively addressed.
As part of its recommendations, GLOMEF is calling on the Ghana Journalists Association, the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana, and the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association to consider a one-year media blackout on any security agency or political party whose agents assault journalists in the line of duty.
The Foundation is also advocating mandatory human rights and media-relations training for security agencies, clear operational protocols to protect journalists, swift disciplinary action against offenders, and compensation and medical support for affected journalists.
GLOMEF reaffirmed its commitment to defending press freedom and called for an end to violence against journalists in Ghana.
The statement was signed by the Chief Executive Officer of GLOMEF, Raphael Godlove Ahenu.
