The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has called on Parliament to offer backing to the National Media Commission (NMC) to strengthen measures that safeguard journalists within the nation.
According to him, the safety of journalists is not negotiable and there is a need to invest more resources, advocate support, strengthen collaboration, and hold the police and Judicial Service accountable for the attacks that are reported to them.
“It requires holding the security agencies and the Judicial Service accountable for the prosecution and severe punishment of persons involved in the attack of journalists or media houses,” he continued.
in a statement presented to the house to give updates on government’s activities to ensure journalists’ safety, he said efforts to improve the Safety of Journalists in Ghana have been heightened and this will ensure the sustainability of the press in Ghana.
He added that the Ministry of Information came in collaboration with some stakeholders of the media ecosystem in 2018 to design programs aimed at responding to challenges in the media industry.
He indicated that some of these coordinated mechanisms were birthed out from that engagement.
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah first pointed out that it requires regular advocacy and training of key actors, including journalists, security agencies, the judiciary, and the general public, on the need to uphold the safety of journalists.
However, he stressed the need for journalists to take steps to protect themselves when conducting investigations or reporting in potentially violent scenarios such as riots, and demonstrations.
Other mechanism requirements he emphasized include, investigation invalidation of reports of attacks on journalists and media houses and publication of an annual report on the safety of journalists and efforts to punish attacks on journalists.
The Minister of Information noted that in Ghana, a growing number of individuals and groups ranging from government and non-governmental entities, political party affiliates, and business representatives, to ordinary citizens are turning to harassment and intimidation of journalists as a method to convey their discontent.
Mr Oppong Nkrumah said it would be helpful for Parliament to assist in holding the agencies accountable for the incidents that had been reported to them.
He also urged the House to partner with the NMC as it requires more resources to succeed at implementing the mechanism.
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah emphasized that the Ministry of Information has also supported with their limited resources and is grateful to partners such as UNESCO, who have also supported the NMC in that endeavour.
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Source: Angelina Riley Hayford/ATLFMNEWS
