GJA Gives Full Backing to State's Decision   to Prosecute Baffour Gyan’s Assault Case

The Ghana Journalists Association, GJA has given its full backing to the decision by the state to prosecute the case in which Baffour Gyan, elder brother of Asamoah Gyan, captain of the senior national football team the Black Stars, his personal manager, Samuel Anim Addo and others now at large for the alleged assault of a journalist in the line of duty. 

The GJA wishes to commend the Kumasi Police, particularly the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Kofi Boakye for acting swiftly by investigating the matter and ensuring that Baffour Gyan and others who allegedly assaulted Daniel Kenu, Ashanti Regional Correspondent of the Daily Graphic are speedily brought on trial. 

It says this will serve as a deterrent to those who take the law into their hands, by assaulting journalists and other media personnel in their line of duty. 

It is also a reminder that no one should consider himself or herself above the law in a democracy. 

The GJA reiterates that even when journalists err in their work and their infractions are considered intolerable, there can be no justification for anyone to either physically or verbally attack them as there are avenues for seeking redress under such circumstances.
 
They include the right to rejoinder, complaints to the National Media Commission, Ghana Journalists Association, Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association and the Private Newspapers Publishers Association of Ghana. 

One could also choose to go to the law courts. Physical assaults and other uncivilized behaviours do not only violate the civil and above all human rights of journalists.

They also have the potential to undermine the role of the media in upholding the people’s right to know, which contributes to empowering them to make informed decisions and choices in a democracy.  

GBC