The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has called on the police service to expedite probe into recent attacks on journalists,emphasizing the need to end impunity and ensure the safety of journalists.
The Ghana Journalists Association has issued a statement to commemorate this year’s International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists,marked on November 2. The theme for this year is “Safety of journalists in crises and emergencies.” In the statement,the association demanded justice for all the journalists who have fallen victim to such attacks.
“It is on the basis of this gloomy picture that the GJA, on the occasion of ‘International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists’, demands greater commitment from all state actors to end such crimes against journalists and other media practitioners.
We demand justice for all these victims to soothe their pain, while urging law enforcement agencies to ensure that the perpetrators suffer the pain of incarceration that suit their heinous crimes.
In 2013, the United Nations, per General Assembly Resolution 68/163, declared November 2 as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, with the view to drawing the world’s attention to the impunity for crimes against journalists and the recognition of their safety, following the killing of two French journalists in Mali.
This year, the theme for the commemoration of the Day is: “Safety of journalists in crises and emergencies”. the statement read.
The statement also highlighted that thirteen journalists as well as media houses have fallen to such attacks,citing cases such as the alarming gun-point attack on Joy FM’s Erastus Asare Donkor, the cyber attack on The Fourth Estate , among many others which continue to threaten press freedom.
The association urged the Ghana Police Service to provide adequate security to journalists as they carry out their duties, which are vital to the nation’s well being and public interest.
The statement further shed light on various threats on journalists’ safety while discharging their duties, notably the Galamsey menace,parliamentary business-related attacks on media practitioners,among many others.
The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists will be commemorated on November 6-7, 2024, at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This year’s event holds special significance as it marks the 10th anniversary since the day was first observed in 2014.
The GJA President,Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, as well as other media actors will converge at the African Union Headquarters to observe the Day.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Salimatu Nuhu
