World Press Freedom Day 2018
On Wednesday May 3, Ghanaian Journalists will have the privilege to host their counterparts around the world in Accra to the UN General Assembly's proclaimed World Press Freedom Day. The day provides an opportunity for journalists globally to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom; assess the state of press freedom throughout the world; defend the media from attacks on their independence; and above all pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
The question that comes to mind is why Ghana? What makes Ghana stand out in this time and space of Press Freedom and Freedom of Speech? Some Journalists in Ghana have criticised heavily the failure of recent and the past governments to pass the Right To Information Bill, RTI into Law. Many believe that the RTI Bill if passed will give true meaning to Ghana's 1992 Constitution, Chapter 12 Article 162 and 163 which guarantees freedom and independence of the media. Why then was Ghana chosen to host this year's Press Freedom Day? Organizers say Ghana has come far in promoting freedom of speech and the rule of law. Ghana's Information Minister, Dr. Mustapha Hamid, lauded the choice of Ghana to host the 25th edition of the World Press Freedom Day. According to Dr. Hamid, “It speaks volumes about our own credentials as a country with regards to where we have come from in terms of freedom of the press”.
We say congratulations to all Ghanaian journalists, especially to the forebears of Journalism and free speech, on whose shoulders generations have stood to reap the fruits of a free and pluralistic media in Ghana today. World Press Freedom Day was adopted by the Windhoek Declaration in 1983 to promote independent and pluralistic press around the world. This year's celebration will feature academic conferences which will discuss Right to Information, Role of the Judiciary in Protecting Journalists, Covering Elections and Electoral Campaigns, Policy Labs and the UNESCO Guillermo Cann World Press Freedom Awards Ceremony to honour journalists who have exhibited dedication to the cause of Press Freedom around the world.
Even as Ghana boast of great credentials when it comes to free media there are still some concerns when it comes to brutality and attacks on media personnel, especially by law enforcement agencies. Many have questioned these rather bizarre happenings, because the law enforcement institutions have the onus to protect the rights of all citizens including the media. The Ghana Journalists Association and the Media Foundation for West Africa and others concerned have boldly condemned these acts and called on Journalists to stand up against acts of violence against their colleagues.
Media Foundation For West Africa recently released a report on Safety of Journalists in Ghana, which showed that 17 journalists were attacked in 15 months. These statistics must be a concern to all who ascribe to a free media, because no one wants to be reminded of the dark days of the ''culture of silence''. There is therefore a critical need for all to work at protecting Ghana's democratic credentials.
Ghana must be proud to have been chosen to host the more than 700 journalists across the globe to this year's World Press Freedom Day. An obvious feather in the cap of all Journalists in Ghana and represents a time for media minds to join forces to Keep Power in Check: re-evaluate Media, Justice and the Rule of Law. Above all, it is time that Media practitioners examine some of the shortfalls in the profession. As a watchdog fostering transparency, accountability and the rule of law, it is also important to explore the legislative gaps with regards to freedom of expression and information online, and the risks of regulating online speech.
This is indeed a clarion call to all who agree that ''the pen is mightier than the sword'' to help address the setbacks to Freedom of the Press, as a matter of urgency, in order to improve the safety of journalists globally.
By Rebecca Ekpe, a journalist.
The question that comes to mind is why Ghana? What makes Ghana stand out in this time and space of Press Freedom and Freedom of Speech? Some Journalists in Ghana have criticised heavily the failure of recent and the past governments to pass the Right To Information Bill, RTI into Law. Many believe that the RTI Bill if passed will give true meaning to Ghana's 1992 Constitution, Chapter 12 Article 162 and 163 which guarantees freedom and independence of the media. Why then was Ghana chosen to host this year's Press Freedom Day? Organizers say Ghana has come far in promoting freedom of speech and the rule of law. Ghana's Information Minister, Dr. Mustapha Hamid, lauded the choice of Ghana to host the 25th edition of the World Press Freedom Day. According to Dr. Hamid, “It speaks volumes about our own credentials as a country with regards to where we have come from in terms of freedom of the press”.
We say congratulations to all Ghanaian journalists, especially to the forebears of Journalism and free speech, on whose shoulders generations have stood to reap the fruits of a free and pluralistic media in Ghana today. World Press Freedom Day was adopted by the Windhoek Declaration in 1983 to promote independent and pluralistic press around the world. This year's celebration will feature academic conferences which will discuss Right to Information, Role of the Judiciary in Protecting Journalists, Covering Elections and Electoral Campaigns, Policy Labs and the UNESCO Guillermo Cann World Press Freedom Awards Ceremony to honour journalists who have exhibited dedication to the cause of Press Freedom around the world.
Even as Ghana boast of great credentials when it comes to free media there are still some concerns when it comes to brutality and attacks on media personnel, especially by law enforcement agencies. Many have questioned these rather bizarre happenings, because the law enforcement institutions have the onus to protect the rights of all citizens including the media. The Ghana Journalists Association and the Media Foundation for West Africa and others concerned have boldly condemned these acts and called on Journalists to stand up against acts of violence against their colleagues.
Media Foundation For West Africa recently released a report on Safety of Journalists in Ghana, which showed that 17 journalists were attacked in 15 months. These statistics must be a concern to all who ascribe to a free media, because no one wants to be reminded of the dark days of the ''culture of silence''. There is therefore a critical need for all to work at protecting Ghana's democratic credentials.
Ghana must be proud to have been chosen to host the more than 700 journalists across the globe to this year's World Press Freedom Day. An obvious feather in the cap of all Journalists in Ghana and represents a time for media minds to join forces to Keep Power in Check: re-evaluate Media, Justice and the Rule of Law. Above all, it is time that Media practitioners examine some of the shortfalls in the profession. As a watchdog fostering transparency, accountability and the rule of law, it is also important to explore the legislative gaps with regards to freedom of expression and information online, and the risks of regulating online speech.
This is indeed a clarion call to all who agree that ''the pen is mightier than the sword'' to help address the setbacks to Freedom of the Press, as a matter of urgency, in order to improve the safety of journalists globally.
By Rebecca Ekpe, a journalist.
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