Brutality against journalists is a No-No: Ghana must protect the fourth estate

Journalism is a vital component of Ghana's democracy, providing citizens with information, scrutinizing public institutions, and serving as a watchdog over governments. However, recent incidents of violence against journalists, such as the beating of Philip Abutiate while filming a demolition exercise, reveal growing concerns about the safety of journalists in Ghana.

Any physical assault on a journalist, even while performing their professional duties, is unacceptable and undermines the foundations of democratic accountability.

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has a critical responsibility to protect the interests and professional dignity of its members. While public condemnation of attacks on journalists is necessary, it is not enough to bring perpetrators to justice or prevent future assaults. The GJA must work swiftly and decisively with the relevant authorities, such as the Ghana Police Service, to ensure that the assault on Philip Abutiate receives the necessary attention and that appropriate legal action is taken.

The safety of journalists must be a top priority for the Minister for the Interior, Ghana Police Service, and all relevant ministries and state institutions. Law enforcement agencies must investigate reports of violence against journalists impartially, identify those responsible, and ensure that due process is followed. If found guilty, appropriate disciplinary or legal action must be taken against any individual or institution that uses violence to obstruct legitimate journalistic work.

Journalists must be able to carry out their duties without fear of assault, unlawful obstruction, or intimidation. Society must recognize that a journalist on the scene of a public event, such as a demolition exercise, is there to provide transparency, accountability, and accurate documentation of events, not to provoke hostility. Only by protecting the safety and well-being of journalists can Ghana ensure the free flow of information and maintain the integrity of its democratic institutions.