GJA condemns threats on Judiciary

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), in a statement, has condemned without reservations and restraint, two panelists alleged to have threatened the lives of judges in the country during a discussion programme on Montie FM, an Accra-based radio station.

The statement issued by its president, Dr. Roland Affail Monney said the association finds such intimidation of the judiciary who are the final arbiters of justice totally unacceptable and has called on the National Media Commission with support from the National Communication Authority to investigate the matter and ensure that the law takes its cause to serve as a deterrent to persons contemplating such undemocratic practices and irresponsible behaviour, especially this election year.

According to the statement, the Judiciary is certainly not above reproach. However, people with grievances must take to laid down procedures rather than adopt such Machiavellian tactics. 

The GJA said such crude methods of intimidation should not be tolerated since they have the potential to undermine the democratic process and endanger the peace which is so vital in an election year.

“The GJA gives every encouragement to the media to promote healthy political discourse but never to relax in their gate-keeping role in ensuring that divisive and derogatory utterances, especially those that raise the political temperature are not allowed on our airwaves.”  The statement said
 
“We take this opportunity to once again draw the attention of all stakeholders, including the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) to ensure that operators of broadcasting stations avoid such intemperate behaviour and infuse greater responsibility in terms of civility, decorum and circumspection on the airwaves in particular and the media in general. It concluded.


GBC