The complaint made by the Ministry of Information to the police after the attack on UTV by thugs of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been extoled by the National Media Commission (NMC).
The NMC says the step taken by the minister against party members of a ruling government which he is a member, shows how courageous the minister is, and his quest to ensure press freedom is adhered to in the country.
The Commission’s statement come on the back of a disappointment expressed by the Ghana Journalists’ Association (GJA) over the ruling given by an Achimota High Court on the invaders of the studios of UTV.
A Saturday, October 7, 2023, invasion of the studios of UTV by party foot soldiers of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) was condemned by many who felt the deed was an affront to Ghana’s democracy.
The foot soldiers, who said they were sent by some leaders of the party said the live programme which was ongoing was making the NPP and the government unpopular.
They illegally invaded the studios, disrupted the programme and threatened the host and her guests.
A formal complaint was made to the police by management of Despite Media who owns UTV and the Ministry of Information, leading to the arrest of 16 people.
An Achimota High Court on Monday, October 16, convicted the culprits to a fine of 200 penalty units each amounting to GHC2,400.00 default of 3 months imprisonment.
But according to the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and a section of the public who reacted to the ruling, the punishment was too weak to deter people from indulging in similar occurrences.
In a release signed by the Executive Secretary of the NMC, George Sarpong, Tuesday, October 17, 2023, the Commission said although the GJA’s disappointment is justifiable, the processes leading to the conviction of the culprits, starting from the minister’s reportage, is commendable.
“First, there is novelty in the courage of a sitting Minister, a Member of Parliament and an active politician in reporting members of his own party to the police for invading a TV station. This must signify a new beginning towards addressing questions of the safety of journalists. He and the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice had a choice. And they elected to exercise that in favour of media freedom,” portions of the statement said.
“That behaviour sets a new standard by which government action must be judged into the future. We must hold the Ministers bound by this worthy precedent and define it as the standard by which we expect all future Ministers to act,” it added.
The NMC lauded the Chief Justice and the Judiciary, including the police and all other stakeholders involved.
“Second, the speed of the trial must give us hope of the commitment of the Chief Justice and the judiciary. It is also important to acknowledge the police for arresting, investigating and prosecuting the offenders.
“Perhaps one positive aspect of the police action that requires to be highlighted is the responsiveness and professionalism of the commander of the Tesano Police and his team,” the statement further indicated.
The NMC in addition noted that above all, that, “the outrage showed by the public should indicate to us the values Ghanaians cherish in our democratic space and the level of decency required of us all.”
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