The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr George Akuffo Dampare to ensure the arrest and prosecution of the persons behind recent media attacks in the country.
The Association says the development poses a threat to Ghana’s democratic credentials and should not be encouraged.
In the view of UTAG, if these unfortunate incidents are not curbed, a bad precedent will be set.
To avoid this, UTAG in its communiqué released on Monday, October 16, signed by its National President, Professor Mamudu and National Secretary, Dr Elliasu Mumuni asked the IGP to ensure the perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted.
“Congress of UTAG observed with sadness the increasing attacks on the freedom of expression and of the Media. These developments are not in the interest of our growing democratic dispensation.”
“The recent attacks on journalists and some media houses in the country are attacks on freedom of expression as guaranteed in Chapter 12 of Article 162 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.”
“While condemning these acts of violence and lawlessness, UTAG commends the police for acting swiftly to arrest some individuals who recently attacked journalists and panellists at United Television (UTV).”
“We call on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to ensure that perpetrators of all attacks on journalists, including the one on Citi FM journalists, media houses and killings of journalists in the country, are arrested and prosecuted without fail.”
Recently, a group of young men barged into the studios of UTV during the station’s prime-time entertainment show, ‘United Showbiz’ temporarily disrupting the show and threatening to beat up the host and her guests on live television.
According to them, the show had become a platform where the government has consistently been unfairly criticised in an unprofessional manner, to the point that a letter from the NPP to the management of UTV to reform the United Showbiz, was torn apart live on air by political activist, Kwame A Plus, a regular panellist of the show.
However, barely a week after this unfortunate incident, a Citi FM and Citi TV journalist, Ms Akosua Otchere was also attacked by NDC thugs while covering the vetting of the parliamentary aspirants of the party in the Odododiodio constituency in Accra.
Ms Otchere was attacked by some NDC thugs, who twisted her hand and snatched her phone.
This happened when members of one of the aspirant’s camps destroyed party property, including chairs and an air-conditioner, and pelted the vetting committee members with stones, citing unfairness on their part.
These condemnable happenings, UTAG has asked the IGP to immediately address.
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