Power in most democratic countries is divided between the legislature, executive and judiciary. However, the power of the media has been established to be the Fourth Estate of the Realm. Although not directly part of the political system, the Fourth Estate of the Realm has come to symbolise the media or press as a segment of society that has an indirect, but key, role in influencing the political system.
To some, the relevance of the press is generally drawn from the fact that information is a necessary tool for effective governance, whilst others see the work of the media as imperious and which must be crushed.
The contribution of the media to the socio-economic and political transformation of the nation cannot be over-emphasised. The media landscape has seen consistent progress over the years, but the intermittent reports of abuse and attack on journalists is quite worrying and needs much attention.
Although Ghana can boast of considerable progress in press freedom, there are still some concerns when it comes to brutality and attacks on journalists.
The Chronicle recalls how Latif Iddris of the Multimedia Group Limited was brutally beaten to pulp at the Headquarters of the Ghana Police Service. Up till today, his attackers have not been found, although the incident happened in the full glare of the public.
We also recollect with melancholic feelings the assassination of Ahmed Hussein-Suale, an undercover reporter with Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ Tiger Eye.
The above-mentioned cases are just a few that readily come to mind, but they show how the media has become a target of an impatient society baying for blood and mob justice.
In all these instances, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), which is the umbrella body of Ghanaian journalists, only comes out with flowery language that does not appease the victims in any way. It is rather unfortunate that the GJA has become more reactive than proactive.
As for the Ghana Police Service, the least said about them, the better. In situations where journalists have come under attack and have done the most honourable to lodge complaints at their desk, they have treated them with contempt.
It is in the light of the above that we condemn the serial threats on Emmanuel Akli, Editor of The Chronicle, by an immigration officer, and urge the Ghana Police Service to act decisively on the issue.
The crime of The Chronicle Editor was that he sought to expose the immigration officer engaging in acts that were detrimental to the public interest. The immigration officer went to court and obtained judgment after complaining about the said publication.
In accordance with respecting the rule of law, the management of The Chronicle filed for a stay of execution of the ruling, and has subsequently started a process to file an appeal. It is rather unfortunate that the plaintiff, who first went to court, has become irritated by the same court process he committed to, and has rather decided to issue threats to The Chronicle Editor.
Still respecting the democratic tenets, The Chronicle Editor, as far back as 2018, reported to the police, which has failed to act, forcing the Editor to petition the then Inspector General of Police, David Asante Apeatu.
Indeed, it can be surmised that the inaction of the police has encouraged the immigration officer to continue issuing threats to the Editor to date. All we can do, as a media house, is to do the right thing by pursuing the case in court.
The Chronicle will like to mention for praise the role of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) in highlighting this case. They have indeed proved to us that ‘Good friends show their love in times of trouble, not just in times of happiness.’
The post Editorial: The work of the Media and Occupational Hazards appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
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