Let’s protect journalists to end impunity
Ghana's democracy is anchored on the principles of freedom of expression, press freedom and access to information.
Journalists play a vital role in ensuring that these principles are upheld, holding those in power accountable, and giving a voice to the voiceless.
As the watchdogs of society, journalists are tasked with the responsibility of reporting the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. They bring to light corruption, abuse of power and human rights violations, among other issues that impact the nation. By doing so, they contribute to good governance, transparency and accountability.
However, the safety and protection of journalists remain a pressing concern in Ghana.
Despite their critical role, journalists in Ghana face numerous challenges, including physical attacks, intimidation and harassment.
These attacks not only threaten the safety of journalists but also undermine press freedom and the public's right to information. Impunity emboldens perpetrators and creates a culture of fear and silence.
It undermines the ability of journalists to perform their duties, leading to a less informed citizenry and a weakened democracy.
This week, Ghana joined the global community to commemorate the ‘International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists’.
On the day, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) sounded a clarion call to state and non-state actors to ensure a safe online and offline environment for journalists across the country.
The records show that 13 attacks on journalists have been reported from January to October this year.
From January to July, we recorded 12 attacks.
The murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale in 2019 remains one of the darkest moments in Ghana's media history.
The inability of the State to bring the perpetrators of this crime to book after nearly seven years puts Ghana in a bad light, especially as justice continues to elude the family of Ahmed Suale and the entire media fraternity.
Unfortunately, justice is yet to be served, reflecting a broader global challenge of impunity, not only in Ghana but also globally.
The recent discharge of a suspect in Suale's murder case, following the Attorney-General's decision to discontinue prosecution, raises serious concerns about the state's commitment to pursuing justice and press freedom.
The Daily Graphic supports the position of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), which is demanding a full and transparent explanation from the Attorney-General's Department on the reasons for discontinuing Suale's case.
We call on the Inspector-General of Police to provide an update on ongoing investigations and outline clear steps to find and prosecute the perpetrators.
Of particular concern is the alarming rise of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) against women journalists.
Digital transformation has exposed journalists, particularly women, to unprecedented risks, including gendered disinformation, deepfakes and AI-driven harassment tactics.
These forms of violence stifle free expression and undermine journalistic integrity.
Ghana must promote digital literacy and create safe online environments for journalists, particularly women, to work without fear of harassment and intimidation.
The protection of journalists is fundamental to our country's democracy.
The failure to solve Suale's murder is a national tragedy and a stain on the country's international image as a beacon of press freedom in Africa.
We urge all stakeholders, including the government, media owners, digital platforms and civil society organisations, to collaborate in addressing these emerging threats and create a safer environment for journalists to work without fear.
To ensure the safety and protection of journalists, the Daily Graphic recommends that the laws and policies that safeguard press freedom and protect journalists from attacks and harassment must be strengthened.
The state must investigate and prosecute crimes against journalists, ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.
Media owners and civil society organisations must provide support for journalists who have faced attacks and harassment, including counselling and legal assistance.
We owe it to ourselves, our democracy, and future generations to uphold the values of transparency and accountability that sustain our motherland.
Let us stand together to protect journalists, defend truth, and ensure that impunity has no place in Ghana.
The Daily Graphic calls on all Ghanaians to join the media in this call to action.
Together, we can create a safer and more enabling environment for journalists to perform their duties and ensure that Ghana remains a beacon of press freedom in Africa.
