Advertisement
Desktop970x250
3News
Advertisement
Desktop970x250

We’re not putting fear into journalists, we want them to be responsible – Police

By Laud Nartey
SHARE
2 min read
We’re not putting fear into journalists, we want them to be responsible – Police

Director General, Public Affairs Directorate of the Police Service, ACP Kwasi Ofori

The Police has said it is not putting fear into journalists and preventing them from doing their work following the recent arrests of some journalists in the country.

The Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, ACP Kwesi Ofori said the Police is only seeking to ensure responsible journalism in the country.

“The Police is not doing anything to put fear into the media or to prevent the media in its operations. All that we are saying is that the journalists must be responsible, should make sure that things put out are in line with good practices,” he told Accra based Citi on Monday, February 14.

The Police received flak for arresting journalists including Accra FM’s Bobie Ansah and Media General’s Captain Smart for utterances they made in the line with their duties.

For instance, three Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), IMANI Africa and Africa Center for International Law & Accountability (ACILA) expressed concerns about what they believed was the subtle re-introduction of the abolished Criminal Libel Law in Ghana.

“We are deeply troubled by the growing use of the prosecutorial and judicial power of the State to punish criminally speech that allegedly falsely injures or damages the reputation of other persons or of an institution of State.

“Instructively, during the heyday of the criminal libel law in the 1990s, the criminal law was used in precisely the way it is now being used: to prosecute and punish journalists and public speakers for allegedly false or defamatory statements against certain family members or associates of the President,” a statement issued by the three CSOs said.

By Laud Nartey|editors.3news.com|Ghana

Sign up to The Daily Briefing

Stay informed with the most relevant stories shaping Ghana and the world, every morning and evening.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Share This Article

Laud Nartey is an online editor with current affair team at Media General, operators of TV3 Ghana, 3News.com and more. Email: Laud.Nartey@editors.3news.com

Advertisement
Desktop300x250

Up Next

Advertisement
Desktop970x250