{
  "id": 18804018,
  "title": "‘Journalists are not enemies of the state’ – Dwumfour urges respect for press freedom",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/journalists-are-not-enemies-of-the-state-dwumfour-urges-respect-for",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-07T22:32:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/journalists-are-not-enemies-of-the-state-dwumfour-urges-respect-for-press-freedom/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Albert Dwumfour, the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), has emphasized the importance of press freedom and urged for greater respect for journalists amid their ongoing challenges. Speaking at the 30th GJA Media Awards in Accra, Mr. Dwumfour highlighted that journalists are not adversaries of the state, despite facing attacks, arrests, and harassment. Between 2022 and January 2026, the GJA recorded over 50 incidents involving journalists, including assaults and wrongful arrests.\n\nMr. Dwumfour pointed out that Ghana's improvement in international press freedom rankings should not mask the difficulties journalists continue to encounter. He stressed that true press freedom extends beyond a country's standing on an international index, focusing on whether journalists can report on corruption, question public officials, and cover security operations without fear of intimidation. The GJA President called for sustained efforts to tackle issues such as safety concerns, economic insecurity, media independence, and professional development. He reiterated that the GJA's role is to build on the progress made in press freedom while addressing the persistent threats faced by journalists. Ghana's ranking improved from 52nd in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index to 39th in the 2026 edition, according to Mr. Dwumfour's presentation at the event. However, the organization acknowledges that the reported attacks and harassment underscore the necessity of continued efforts to protect journalists and maintain media independence.",
  "summary": "President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Dwumfour, has called for greater respect for press freedom, insisting that journalists are not enemies of the state amid persistent attacks and harassment of media practitioners. Speaking at the 30th GJA Media Awards in Accra, he said the Association had recorded more than 50 incidents involving attacks, arrests and harassment of…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "“Journalists are not enemies of the state” – GJA President urges protection",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/journalists-are-not-enemies-of-the-state-gja-president-urges",
        "published": "2026-11-07T22:50:49.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}