In an exclusive interview towards the celebration of world press freedom day, Gyagri Fighton Baalaah explained that Ghanaian [ads1]journalists don’t enjoy any freedom.
“Ghanaian journalists don’t enjoy freedom in Ghana here. The only thing I know is that if you are affiliated with a political party then you enjoy press freedom especially with a party in government”.
“Our work is a professional work altogether and if you are determined to go into this work with the intentions that you are going to affiliate yourself to any political party, you (the journalist) are ruining your own life”. Jerry of Ho FM added his voice.
Over the years, Ghanaian journalists have lost their lives in the line of duty and this has called for the protection of the journalists at the National Front.
Faisel Iddrisu, a broadcast Journalist and a political science student at the EP University College, Ho also believes that it is time for the protection of journalists in Ghana.
“The reality is that throughout our work, we come across different challenges, especially violence and sometimes molestation where journalists are beating in the line of duty. But for Ghana, whether we are up there with issues regarding press freedom is a bit of a challenge.
My challenge is that in a country where journalists are beating. In a country where journalists suffer violence. In a country where journalists die in the line of duty but no punishment is meted out to perpetrators, then press freedom is just practically nothing. But I think a lot needs to be done in terms of protecting the journalists in the line of their duties. Not until enough is done to protect the journalist, the press freedom would be meaningless”.
“The government should stop sidelining with some journalists all in the name of votes to make the journalist professional” Baalah concluded.
Baalaah also advised that journalists especially the press should be mindful of the usage of the English language and the way they construct their headlines and leads.
This year’s World Press Freedom Day which is jointly organized by UNESCO and the Government of the Republic of Ghana is slated for 2nd and 3rd of May with the theme “Keeping Power in check: Media, Justice and The Rule of Law”.
It is said to cover issues of the media and the transparency of the political process, independence and media literacy of the judicial system and the accountability of the state institution.
BY: KOFI TAMAKLOE