Intimidation of journalists is on the rise – Kweku Andoh Awotwi
The Board Chair of the Multimedia Group Limited, Kweku Andoh Awotwi, says there is a decline in press freedom.
He explained that there is increasing violence and threat to journalists in their line of duty.
“We are a free country if you will, and a peaceful country. I do think the intimidation of journalists is on the rise and that is not a good thing,” he said on the Hard Truth show on Tuesday.
Mr. Awotwi who is also Chairman of the United Bank of Africa (UBA) explained that in the past few years, the increase in instances of violence against journalists has dented the press freedom tag Ghana prides itself with.
“We have had journalists killed in the last few years, we have had journalists intimidated, harassed over the last couple of years because of views they have stated. The trend is not going in the right direction in terms of freedom of journalists and the safety of journalists to report on legitimate news,” he said.
Suggesting ways to strengthen press freedom in the country, Mr. Awotwi advised that there must be enforcement of existing legislative and legal frameworks to protect journalists.
It would be recalled that in May 2022, Ghana dropped 30 places in a press freedom index by Reporters Without Borders.
The report was on the back of a report that the government had clamped down on dissent and claims of a surge in press freedom violations.
On February 10, 2022, an Accra FM presenter, Kwabena Bobbie Ansah was arrested on a charge of “publication of false news and offensive conduct” for posting a video on social media, claiming the First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, had allegedly obtained state land in order to build the headquarters for a foundation.
This claim was false, the Police investigation said.
Godsbrain Smart of Onua TV was also arrested for an alleged case of extortion, although some have claimed it has to do with his fierce criticisms of the government.
The report released to commemorate international Press Freedom Day scored Ghana 67.43, placing Ghana 60th on the index that monitors 180 countries.
This ranking is the lowest the country has ever seen in the past 17 years since it placed 66th in 2005.
Source: Ghana News
