Bribery scandal: EIB Network, CPJ condemn attacks on Edward Adeti

Excellence in Broadcasting (EIB) Network and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have jointly condemned attacks on the Upper East regional correspondent of Starr FM, Edward Adeti.

Adeti’s investigation led to the resignation of a minister of state at the presidency, Rockson Bukari, who attempted to bribe the journalist to drop a story against a judge and Chinese mining firm, Shaanxi Mining Company.

The reporter’s home was broken into on Thursday. CPJ said it is alarmed over the development and has called for protection for the journalist.

#Ghana: @pressfreedom is alarmed by death threats against Starr FM journalist Edward Adeti following his report involving Rockson Bukari, a former minister of state at the Ghanaian presidency. https://t.co/z3Hsj9NS1L https://t.co/g8LDMDTYq0

— CPJ Africa (@CPJAfrica) May 2, 2019

EIB Network, the parent company of Starr FM, is calling on the police to investigate the case while giving the journalist maximum protection.

Below is a full statement from EIB Network:

May 3, 2019

EIB NETWORK CONDEMNS ATTACK ON UPPER EAST CORRESPONDENT EDWARD ADETI

The home of our Upper East regional correspondent Mr. Edward Adeti was broken into on Thursday, May 2, 2019, a few days after his investigative story triggered the resignation of a minister of state at the presidency, Hon. Rockson Ayine Bukari.

The incident happened while the reporter and his family were away. The intruder(s) went away with a TV set.

Inasmuch as we are unable to link the burglary at Mr. Adeti’s home with his story, we strongly condemn the act carried out by the faceless cowards whose agenda is to cow journalists, who are risking their lives to put the spotlight on corruption. We trust the police to investigate the incident and bring whoever responsible to face the full rigors of the law.

EIB Network has arranged internal security for Mr. Adeti and his family, and will want to call on the security agencies to make it a priority to give 24-hour protection to all journalists risking their lives to unearth rot in society.

As Ghana joins the rest of the world in celebrating World Press Freedom Day on May 3, we call on all Ghanaians to strongly condemn the spate of attacks on journalists aimed at suppressing media freedom.

We also want to call on people in high positions to make it absolutely clear to their supporters that violence against reporters is unacceptable. Violence against journalists is violence against freedom and democracy.

Journalism is not a crime and we will not be cowed in carrying out our constitutionally mandated responsibility to play a watchdog role in the interest of citizens.

Nathan Kwabena Anokye Adisi
CEO, EIB Network

Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM