The Editors Forum Ghana has called on the Ghana Armed Forces to compensate the two journalists who were assaulted by Military Policemen during this year�s Independence Day celebration, describing the outcome of the probe as scandalous.
�We believe that they deserve to be compensated for the pain, trauma, humiliation and embarrassment they have, no doubt, suffered,� Adjoa Yeboah-Afari, Chairperson of the Editors Forum said yesterday.
Ms Yeboah-Afari, in a solidarity message at a ceremony to commemorate this year�s World Press Freedom Day and inaugurate the new executives of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) said the assault on the two journalists was unwarranted.
The two photojournalists, Vincent Dzatse and Nii Martey Botwe of the Ghanaian Times and Daily Graphic respectively, were assaulted by soldiers during the 56th Independence Day celebration in Accra for crossing a marked line.
However, the conclusive report of investigations by the military into the matter which generated disaffection for the armed forces, exonerated the soldiers who slapped the photojournalists while they carried out their duty.
The Chairperson of the Editors Forum described the conclusion of the military investigation as scandalous adding �it is not too late to make amends. We respectfully urge the military authorities to go the extra mile to ensure that our assaulted colleagues are treated with fairness justice and dignity.�
Unfortunately the report on the military investigation was published a week before the celebration of the World Press Freedom Day which focused on the safety of journalists and media workers globally.
The theme for this year�s celebration was, �Ensuring the safety of Journalists and media workers: combating impunity against press freedom and online safety.�
Gina Blay, President of the Private Newspaper Publishers Association of Ghana, after congratulating the new GJA executives stated it was important to protect journalists form all forms of abuse.
While she recounted some of the attacks on journalists in the past she appealed for the mounting of a notice with the names of all journalists who have been abused in the course of work over the years at the press centre.
�Our work is dangerous but we shall continue to do what is expected of us,� she stated.
Earlier, Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere, Chairman of the National Media Commission, swore in the new six-member executive of the GJA comprising Affail Monney, President; Mathias Tibu, Vice President; Dave Agbenu, General Secretary; Rogking Clottey, Organizing Secretary; Linda Asante Agyei, Treasurer and Mary Tawiah Mensah as Public Relations Officer.
Dr Affail Monney, the new GJA President in his maiden speech noted that the executive was assuming office at a time of manifold challenges in Ghana.
�Our democracy is on a slippery ground and if media practitioners do not stand up and correct the ethical gaffes and kinks we shall regret.�
He pledged commitment of the new leaders to intensify efforts to unionize the GJA so that journalists would, for the first time, be legally empowered to negotiate better conditions of service.
�No Amount of intimidation or beating at public functions will make us scared dogs,� he said, noting that the media would not flinch on its role as watch dogs.
Ransford Tettey, before handing over as president of the GJA reminded the new executives to pursue works in progress such as the Right to Information Bill, Broadcasting Bill, transformation of the GJA into a union and the incident of the assault on the photojournalists.
Mahama Ayariga, Minister of Information and Media Relations was of the view that the message of solidarity for the public was a manifestation of their unpreparedness not to accept anything that affects the safety of journalists.
He pledged government's commitment to collaborate with the new executives as it would operate an open door policy to build the media to play their expected role.
<<Print>>