Govt to compensate journalists attacked in line of duty under four-point pledge

The government has announced a four-point undertaking to protect journalists, including plans to compensate media practitioners who are attacked while carrying out their work.

The Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, made the disclosure at the third Ghana Journalists Association Dinner Night held at the Ghana International Press Centre on December, 23, 2025.

Dr Srem-Sai said the measures stem from the duty placed on the state by the Constitution to protect journalists.

He explained that the undertakings include a pledge by the government not to harm journalists, not to allow others to harm them, to punish offenders, and to compensate any journalist who suffers harm.

“The first undertaking is that we will not hurt any journalist. The second is that we will not allow anyone to hurt any journalist. The third is that we will punish any person who hurts a journalist. And the final one is that we will compensate any journalist who has been hurt,” he said.

Constitutional duty

Dr Srem-Sai described the safety of journalists as central to constitutional governance. He said the Office of the Attorney General, as the principal defender of the Constitution, has a responsibility to defend media practitioners.

“There is no way we can say we are successful in the performance of that duty when journalists are being harmed in any situation,” he said.

He added that any violent attack on a journalist amounts to an attack on the Constitution and said government would not ignore attempts to harm members of the media.

Court ruling under review

Dr Srem-Sai also announced that the Office of the Attorney General is reviewing a recent High Court judgment that has caused concern within the media fraternity.

Justice Nana Brew of the Human Rights Division issued a perpetual injunction restraining journalist Innocent Appiah from publishing his investigative findings, describing his pre-publication enquiries as an invasion of privacy.

“The Office of the Attorney General is reviewing the decision. We are a nominal party to all human rights applications, including this one. After the review, whatever view my office or my superior reaches, steps will be taken based on what is right and what is just,” Dr Srem-Sai said.

He urged journalists to maintain confidence in the judiciary, saying an independent judiciary understands the role of journalism in a constitutional democracy.

GJA condemns judgment

Earlier in the evening, the President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, criticised the November 7 High Court ruling.

“The GJA condemns in no uncertain terms the November 7 High Court judgment that undermines the constitutional obligation of the media and citizens to expose wrongdoing in the public interest,” Mr Dwumfour said.

He described the ruling as unconstitutional, saying it elevates privacy in a way that damages national interest and discourages investigative journalism.

Mr Dwumfour said the judgment is worse than the content regulation regime struck down by the Supreme Court and more regressive than the fear and panic laws the government is seeking to repeal through a proposed misinformation bill.

He said the Association is reviewing the ruling with the intention of seeking its reversal, describing it as censorship prohibited under Article 162, clause two, of the Constitution.

NMC reaction

The Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission, Mr George Sarpong, also commented on the ruling.

“As lawyers, we are trained to be cautious when commenting on court decisions. With that caution, I can only say that the decision is dangerous,” Mr Sarpong said.

He added that censorship does not protect society but reflects fear of the truth.

President’s message

Representing the presidential spokesperson and the Minister for Government Communications, the Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, Ms Shamima Muslim, conveyed a message from President John Dramani Mahama.

Ms Muslim said the President remains firm in his support for press freedom and believes a free and independent media strengthens democracy.

She urged journalists to work with state institutions to verify information and avoid sensational reporting, especially in dealing with fake news, misinformation and deliberate disinformation.

Police assurance

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, assured journalists of police protection and said steps have been taken to improve relations between the police and the media.

Mr Yohuno said he had directed police officers across the country to engage openly with journalists and provide access to information.

“And I assure you that we are going to protect you. Those incidents that happened in the past will not happen again. Officers have been trained on how to work with media personnel,” he said.