The National Media Commission (NMC) strongly condemns the recent violent assaults on journalists by supporters of Awutu Senya East constituency Member of Parliament, Mavis Hawa Kooson.
Notably, Citi FM’s Northern regional correspondent, Mohammed Aminu M. Alabira, fell victim to an attack by Yendi Constituency Member of Parliament Farouk Aliu Mahama during coverage of the NPP’s Parliamentary primaries on January 27, 2024.
In response to these incidents, NMC Chairman Yaw Boadu Ayeboafo has criticised the Ghana Journalists Association’s (GJA) decision to impose media blackouts on such individuals.
Speaking at the Ghana Journalist Association (GNA)’s Zone 3 workshop in Kumasi, Ayeboafo expressed his view that while the media blackout approach is popular, it is dysfunctional.
Addressing the media, Ayeboafo stated, “The recent violent attacks on journalists fulfilling their primary duty of informing our people are regrettable. The GJA’s unilateral decision to call for a boycott or blackout on such individuals, while popular, is dysfunctional.”
He continued by sharing a past experience, saying, “Many years ago, I faced disapproval from the Ashanti regional Chapter of the GJA when they issued a similar order against the Vice Chancellor of the KNUST Professor. Despite dissenting opinions, I maintained that, while it is disheartening for journalists to be violently attacked, a unilateral resolution to blackout or boycott is not the most productive reaction. We cannot fight impunity with impunity.”
The former managing news editor of the state-owned Daily Graphic urged GJA leadership to pursue legal avenues to advocate for journalists under attack.
Ayeboafo emphasized, “I support any effort to ensure justice prevails against such deviant acts rather than resorting to blackout or boycott. We must adhere to the rule of law and due process. While the call for boycott or blackout may be popular, it may not be productive or functional in the public interest.”
He concluded by drawing a parallel with international conflicts, asserting, “Many journalists have lost their lives in the current Israel-Hamas war, and while the international media calls for respect for laws safeguarding journalists, none have called for a boycott or blackout over Israel or Hamas.”