Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has told journalists in the Upper East to take advantage of the newly opened office of the Coordinated mechanism for the safety of journalists.
According to Mr. Oppong Nkrumah, the office was an additional layer, aside from many other interventions, to demonstrate the government’s commitment to press freedom and the safety of journalists.
“Just yesterday, we opened an office in Accra for the coordinated mechanism for the safety of journalists. Because, as we continue to hear reports that XY and Z journalist has been intimidated or attacked, it is important that we respond. And responding is not all about arguing with journalists but is by putting in place a mechanism that can do a number of things 1, received reports properly so-called of attacks and intimidation on Journalists”.
“I have been a journalist about 10 years before I became a lawyer and came to politics and I know that, it is only when journalists are free and are operating in an environment where they feel no intimidation that they are able to work well and provide for us the service of public information for our public good that we need”.
“So, when we keep hearing these reports, they are worrisome and the best way to respond is to put in place a mechanism that allows us to receive formerly those reports. So, is not my allegation, your allegation or what somebody says. Certainly, these reports can be validated. They can go into it and look at it and make an interpretation that it is true. Because, you and I know that have been instances in this country where people have claimed that they have been attacked and is totally untrue, and there have been instances where people claimed they have been attacked and is true. But is important to separate the weed from the chaff. And not just to validate, to go the next step of following up in a coordinating way to find out what has happened to the investigation on this matter and has the person responsible for this particular reported attack or intimidation been sanctioned, then we can satisfy ourselves as a country that something substantial has been done or has not been done”.
“Also, a place where we can continuously provide the necessary education to journalists and other stakeholders on how to protect ourselves. Mr. Oppong Nkrumah told journalists.
Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
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