Accra, Ghana – As Ghana prepares for its crucial December 7 general elections, the Media Coalition, led by the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has voiced grave concerns about recent developments affecting press freedom, safety, and media professionalism. Speaking at a press conference at the Ghana International Press Centre on Thursday, November 28, 2024, the Coalition highlighted pressing issues that could undermine the integrity of media coverage and the overall success of the elections.
The Coalition expressed its alarm over the Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision to restrict media access to constituency, regional, and national collation centres. This move, they argued, risks eroding transparency and accountability during the election process.
Albert Dwumfour disclosed that the GJA and the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) had protested the decision during a meeting with the EC Chairperson. The EC assured them of further dialogue and invited the media groups to submit proposals to resolve the issue.
“We believe restricting access to the media will not be in the best interest of transparency, accountability, and access to information,” Dwumfour stated. He warned that limiting access could lead to misinformation and undermine public trust in the electoral process.
The Coalition condemned the recent invasion of Metro TV by armed policemen during a live broadcast of the “Good Morning Ghana” show. The officers, accompanying a bailiff and an auctioneer to serve a court order, disrupted the program, injuring a security officer in the process.
The incident raised critical questions about the use of excessive force in serving court orders. “Why must gun-wielding policemen storm a media house where workers only wield microphones?” Dwumfour queried, urging authorities to address such abuses to prevent further harm to press freedom.
The Coalition also decried an attack on Salt FM in the Asante Akyem North constituency earlier this month. Thugs allegedly linked to Chief Kofi Asamoah, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the area, stormed the station to protest comments by a program host. The attack left two staff members injured.
Dwumfour criticized both the attackers and the station’s program host, who made unsubstantiated claims about political sponsorship. “Media practitioners must avoid inflammatory and baseless comments that could incite violence,” he admonished.
The Coalition addressed the controversial arrest of Oheneba Asiedu, a presenter on Wontumi Radio/TV, for spreading false information about voting procedures. While condemning his reckless comments, Dwumfour criticized the police’s reliance on Section 208 of the Criminal Offences Act to prosecute media practitioners.
“More than two decades after repealing the criminal libel law, the police are using outdated laws to suppress press freedom,” he lamented, calling for the repeal of laws that weaponize free speech.
The Ghana Police Service’s initiative to assign liaison officers to media houses during the elections was met with skepticism by the Coalition. Dwumfour questioned whether this was a genuine safety measure or a ploy to interfere with media operations.
The Coalition also urged the police to decentralize election communication, cautioning that centralized updates could lead to misinformation and wrongful arrests of journalists under false news laws.
The Media Coalition urged media practitioners to adhere to ethical standards and avoid sensationalism during the election period. “Together, we can ensure a credible and peaceful election,” Dwumfour concluded.
The Coalition called on political parties, especially the NDC and its leadership, to take swift action against individuals and groups threatening media freedom. It also urged the judiciary to protect press freedom by resisting the misuse of laws to criminalize free speech.
The press conference, attended by journalists, media executives, and civil society representatives, underscores the critical role of the media in safeguarding democracy as Ghana approaches a pivotal election.
