The United Nations General Assembly declared May 3 to be World Press Freedom Day, observed to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press.
It is also a reminder to governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and marking the anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration.
This was a statement of free press principles put together by African newspaper journalists in Windhoek in 1991 and this year’s celebrations were marked on May 3, across the globe.
Ibrahim Adams Mumuni, the Operations Manager of Anchoring Democracy Advocacy Movement Ghana (ADAM-GH) has hit out at the media for their role on issues of governance in Ghana as they celebrate the World Press Freedom Day.
On Ahotor FM’s Asem Yi Di Ka political show with host Emmanuel Martey ,the outspoken manager claims that the hypocritical nature and behaviour of the media these days makes it difficult to praise them since in his opinion, lots of them have taken sides with the ruling government and become sleeping dogs instead of watchdogs in the society.
“The media we grew up envying is not what we see today. You are supposed to be the 4th Arm of Government. You should represent the people and be the voice of the voiceless but today what do we see? he asked”
“The media has relinquished their duties of policing and being the voice of the people and should bow down their head in shame. The behaviour and attitude these days is a shame and a disgrace and do not merit any sort of celebration, he added.
Babs finally advised the media to be circumspect in their reportage and not tend death ears to all the negative things happening in the country but instead be the respected 4th Arm of Government that we all claim they are.
