Three strong stakeholders in information dissemination in the country-the ministry of information, Ghana Journalist Association (GJA), and the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), have unanimously condemned the attack on the studios of United Television (UTV) last Saturday night.
In separate statements since the over fifteen (15) goons invaded the studios of UTV on Saturday night, just when ‘United Showbiz’, an entertainment programme was about to commence, the ministry of information, condemned “in no uncertain terms any unauthorized entry into media organizations in protest at media content or interference with media work. The right to free expression and the freedom of the media are key pillars of our democracy and must be fiercely protected.”
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by the minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah (published), the ministry said it made a report to the Ghana Police Service (GPS) to intervene in the incident on Saturday, October 7, 2023, adding that “The Ministry stands with the police and the courts in the conduct of their duties.”
The GJA also said it expects the Police to arrest and prosecute the rest of the perpetrators expeditiously just as they exemplarily and commendably executed in the case of the attack on Dagbon FM in Tamale in May this year.
“The GJA also calls on the government, non-government organisations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), diplomatic community, international agencies and all well-meaning Ghanaians and people of good conscience to roundly condemn this barbaric act and the masterminds of same,” a statement signed by the General Secretary, Kofi Yeboah stated.
Notwithstanding the attacks, the GJA called on the media to be bold and never be intimidated by such acts of hooliganism, knowing that we serve the larger interest of the public and “urge media practitioners and institutions to act professionally at all times in the discharge of their duties.”
For its part, PRINPAG, while condemning the barbaric attack also called on all stakeholders, especially the Police to expedite action on the 16 persons arrested and arraign them before a court of competent jurisdiction so as to serve as a deterrent to others.
“We wish to further encourage journalists in the country not to be frightened or cowed by these incidents, rather, they should resolve to do their work as the Fourth Estate of the realm without fear or favour going by the ethics of their profession,” a statement signed by its Ag. Executive Secretary, Jeorge Wilson Kingson stated.
The association also said it abhors attacks on journalists and media houses in the country and “we condemn the attack in no uncertain terms and without any reservation. We are concerned about the continued occurrence of such acts in a country that used to boast proudly of its rankings on global press freedom indexes.”
