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The Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) has thrown its support behind the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) over its directive of total media blackout on the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East over an attack on a journalist, David Kobbena.
According to GIBA, it is alarmed over the attacks on journalists during electioneering activities of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), saying that if a more serious action is not taken, the attacks could be more during the 2024 election.
On Thursday, January 4, 2024, during the Central Regional vetting of parliamentary aspirants of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) in Cape Coast, a journalist with Cape FM (Abura – Cape Coast), David Kobbena, by thugs believed to be supporters of Madam Hawa Koomson.
Again, over the weekend, on Saturday, January 27, 2024, there was another incident of an attack on a journalist, Mohammed Aminu Alariba, a reporter for Citi FM/Citi TV by no less a person than a legislator who should know better, Alhaji Farouk Aliu Mahama and his supporters.
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In a Statement Giba noted that this appalling attack also happened during the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary primaries that took place in the Yendi Constituency of the Northern Region, while he was performing his duty of covering the proceedings.
GIBA was of the view that these journalists could have lost their lives but for the timely intervention of their colleagues.
“We at GIBA are especially alarmed because the two latest attacks took place during electioneering activities and may possibly be foreshadowing how journalists and media practitioners could be treated in this election year if immediate actions are not taken to reverse and halt this unfortunate trend,” GIBA stated.
GIBA observed that Perpetrators are becoming emboldened, because these acts of hooliganism and spate of attacks on journalists go unpunished.
“The Government and the Ghana Police Service (GPS) need to put their foot down, identify and sanction all perpetrators, without fear or favour, to send out a clear signal to all and any future miscreants that these barbaric acts cannot be countenanced in our beloved country, Ghana,” GIBA Urged.
It continued,”Although these incidents have been widely condemned by the GJA, GIBA, PRINPAG and the MFWA, we believe that more serious action needs to be taken by the fraternity to ensure the protection and safety of all our members. We cannot continue to reward perpetrators by not sending strong and clear signals that they will face consequences for their actions.”
GIBA added that,”It is in this light that we stand in total solidarity of the GJA’s call to impose a total media blackout on Mavis Hawa Koomson in her capacity as Member of Parliament for the Awutu-Senya East constituency and Minister of State, in charge of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development. We believe this will send a clear signal that this is not business as usual.”
Meanwhile, it commended the GJA for such a bold decision, assuring the GJA of its unflinching support.
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori