The Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong has been summoned to appear before the Privileges Committee of Parliament over his utterances against Multimedia journalist.
Mr Agyapong on Friday, July 9, is reported to have allegedly threatened to attack Mr Asare Donkor, a journalist with the Multimedia Group “for the journalistic work that the latter undertook during the recent shootings and killing incident at Ejura” on his television station.
The Multimedia Group filed a formal complaint against Mr Agyapong for threatening the life of Asare Donkor.
On Wednesday July 14, Tamale North lawmaker Alhassan Suhuyini raised the issue on the floor of the house and asked the Speaker to refer the matter to the Privileges Committee.
Accordingly, the speaker referred the matter to the Committee to handle.
“This is the first time I’m hearing this matter. As it is now, I’m compelled to refer it to the privileges committee. I want to emphasize that it’s the house that will take the decision; it’s not the speaker and it’s not any other person apart from the house”.
The speaker also cautioned that immunity accorded Members of Parliament is limited and does not extend to their private lives.
“It’s important to emphasize that the privilege and immunity of free speech applies in full force in plenary and committee level, not when members are outside debating issues or on radio or on TV”, he said.
“You’re not above the law”, he emphasized.
He urged the committee to do its work as a team and not on partisan lines because the matter at stake affects the entire house.
By: 3news.com|Ghana
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