By Morkporkpor Anku
Accra, Dec. 08, GNA – The Media Coalition Ghana has admonished journalists to take their personal security and safety seriously during the counting, collation and declaration of the results of the Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
The Collation led by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) called on journalists on the field to take precautionary measures for their safety.
Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, President of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA), said they expect and call on the National security taskforce, most importantly the Ghana Police Service to protect the lives of journalists on the field.
Mr Dwumfour was speaking at the GJA-KGL Foundation Media Collation Centre on the threats journalists face in the discharge of their mandate during the counting and collation of the results across the country.
“We call on them to protect all media practitioners on the field, saying I must say, journalists’ lives matter, especially at this crucial moment,” he added.
He recounted the incident from the Awutu Senya East Constituency, Kasoa, which he said gave him the impression that the said journalist or reporter, was entrapped by a gunshot of some unknown assailant.
Mr Dwumfour said “we are told the Police have arrested some suspects, so we commend the Police for this swift action.”
The GJA President called on journalist to live to tell their stories and that they should not rather make the news, encouraging Heads of media houses and media institutions, editors, management to ensure the safety of their staff and their media practitioners.
He said at this moment, the life of the journalists was important as tension kept increasing or rising.
He also cautioned politicians to refrain from pouring their frustration on the journalist when they are losing the election, adding, “do not pour your venom on us, we did not cause your loss.”
The Coalition comprises the GJA, Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association, Private Newspaper and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana and New Media Association of Ghana.
GNA