The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour has strongly condemned the brutal treatment meted out to journalists, emphasising that attacks on journalists are essentially attacks on democracy.
Speaking at the 28th GJA Awards and 75th Anniversary in Accra, on Saturday, September 28, Dwumfour urged politicians to refrain from assaulting journalists ahead of the 2024 general elections.
He encouraged Ghanaians to direct their grievances to the appropriate authorities, acknowledging that media brutality has decreased due to stringent measures such as blacklisting high-profile individuals and politicians.
Despite this progress, Dwumfour expressed concerns about ongoing physical assault, verbal abuse, cyberbullying, and harassment that silence journalists from conducting investigative reporting.
“Politicians need to desist from attacking media houses and journalists who are doing their work. Ghana’s Ranking on the World’s Press Freedom Index has been declining due to attacks on the media by high-profile personalities and political parties.
“We thank God the situation is improving following stringent measures including a media backlist of perpetrators and collaboration with the Ministry of Information in the area of capacity building.
“The GJA warns against media abuse, if you feel offended by media reports or publications, there are appropriate ways or mechanisms available, let’s exhaust all these avenues instead of using brute force to silence the media.
“Attacks on journalists will not only happen to individuals but also undermine fundamental rights to free expression and access to information. Physical assault, verbal abuse, cyberbullying and harassment silence journalists from investigative reporting and compromise our democracy. Attack on the media is an attack on our democracy.”
