The National Media Commission (NMC) has welcomed the swift trial of the youth of the New Pattioc Party (NPP) who attacked United Television (UTV).
According to the NMC, the speedy trial must give us hope of the commitment of the Chief Justice and the judiciary.
The 16 sympathisers of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who invaded the station on Saturday, October 7 during its flagship entertainment show United Showbiz have been convicted and fined GH¢2,400 each.
The ruling was given by an Achimota Magistrate Court on Monday, October 16. They were charged with conspiracy to commit crime and rioting. They all pleaded guilty to the charges.
In default of the fines, they will be in prison for 3 months. They were also made to sign a bond of good behaviour each for the next six months.
The ruling however attracted concerns from some quarters who believe that the punishment could have been draconian.
For instance, private legal practitioner, Justice Abdulai said he was taken aback upon hearing the fines.
In his view, the fines made a mockery of the whole process of arresting, charging, and prosecuting the offenders.
“We are building a democracy for the future, and the protection and freedoms that our media houses are supposed to enjoy because of their special place in building quality democracy. One would have expected that we guard against some of these infractions jealously.
“I was completely taken aback when I saw the fines imposed on the accused persons that invaded the office while a live programme was airing. I keep asking myself and any other person who goes to shows at night, how it would feel. The kind of fear that you will entertain when you hear the sounds of mass of people threatening to cause mayhem while you are on the show, it is that scary.
“When this occurred I was expecting that you would use this to send that strong signal out there to anyone else out there who entertains such thoughts, that this will be that kind of thing that regardless of our divisions in this country, we would guard against. So, we charge this person with one of the most deterring charges just so the court would impose punitive punishment don’t them.
“What happened is such a mockery and I wonder whether it serves all the principles underlining punishments and indeed underlining the building of stronger democracy with the media being used as the forefront. This is why I am so saddened by the decision that was handed today. I may not blame the judge because what was brought before him, is what determines how he or she determines the punishment to impose,” he said while reacting to this issue on the Ghana Tonight show on TV3 on Monday October 16.
In a statement, the NMC said it “has noted the outcome of the trial of the persons who invaded the UTV studios. We have also noted the justifiable expression of disappointment by the GJA in what they consider as the leniency of the sentences. While the healthy discussions continue, we plead a focus to the future.
“First, there is novelty in the courage of a sitting Minister, a Member of Parliament and an active politician in reporting members of his own party to the police for invading a TV station. This must signify a new beginning towards addressing questions of the safety of journalists. He and the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice had a choice. And they elected to exercise that in favour of media freedom. That behaviour sets a new standard by which government action must be judged into the future. We must hold the Ministers bound by this worthy precedent and define it as the standard by which we expect all future Ministers to act.
“Second, the speed of the trial must give us hope of the commitment of the Chief Justice and the judiciary. It is also important to acknowledge the police for arresting, investigating and prosecuting the offenders. Perhaps one positive aspect of the police action that requires to be highlighted is the responsiveness and professionalism of the commander of the Tesano Police and his team. Above all, the outrage showed by the public should indicate to us the values Ghanaians cherish in our democratic space and the level of decency required of us all.
“Social progress is sometimes slow, but the positive direction it takes can give hope of the incremental gain society stands to benefit if efforts continue in that same positive direction. As a result, we call on all who care about the safety of journalists to see the conclusion of this case as the first step towards reversing impunity. We believe our collective commitment to the Coordinated Mechanism on the Safety of Journalists will ultimately create a safer space for the practice of journalism in Ghana.”