The Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to protecting journalists, warning that anyone who attacks media practitioners will be held accountable under the law. He stressed that no individual, regardless of position, political affiliation or authority, would be shielded from prosecution.
Speaking at a media engagement in Accra, Mr George said attacks on journalists undermine the public’s right to information and must not be tolerated. “No uniform, no office, no party card should place anyone above the law,” he said.
Journalists urged to uphold ethics
The Minister also urged journalists to uphold professional and ethical standards, cautioning against the publication of unverified reports, partisan narratives and content driven by ethnic or religious divisions. He said paid journalism and other unethical practices undermine the credibility of the media and erode public confidence in the profession.
Mr George, however, stressed that professional misconduct cannot justify violence against journalists.He said individuals who believe they have been unfairly treated should seek corrections, file complaints with regulators or pursue legal action.
“Bad journalism should be challenged with corrections or court action, never with a fist, never with a gun,” he said.
Ghana’s press freedom gains
Ghana has improved in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders, moving from 52nd to 39th out of 180 countries. The country scored 72.20, its strongest performance in five years, and ranked fourth in Africa.
Despite the improvement, Reporters Without Borders says journalist safety remains a concern, with journalists investigating mining and salt extraction particularly vulnerable to physical attacks. It also notes that many cases of police violence against journalists go unpunished.
Safety policy launched
The engagement, organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), also featured the launch of a Model Safety Policy for Journalists. The policy provides newsrooms with guidelines and practical measures to protect journalists from physical, digital, legal and psychological threats.
It recommends risk assessments before dangerous assignments, emergency response procedures, secure devices, and access to legal and psychological support for journalists. Mr George urged media owners to adopt the policy and ensure that freelancers, regional correspondents, camera operators and online journalists are also protected.
The MFWA has also established a GH¢550,000 legal support fund and a network of media-defence lawyers to assist journalists facing legal threats.
Story by Ama Frimpomaa
