"I am abhorred" – Kwesi Pratt presents his suggestions for limiting the freedom of the media

General News of Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Source: Myjoyonline.com

2019-07-24

Veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt Junior has expressed his disgust at suggestions that press freedom should be restricted.

In an exclusive interview with Emefa Apawu of JoyNews, Pratt encountered such suggestions, "some of which come from reporters," with strong opposition, claiming that they lacked merit.

"I am abhorred," said Pratt, editor of the newspaper Insight.

Public comments and some state policies have recently posed a threat to media freedom in Ghana.

JoyNews, to increase awareness of media freedom, launched the Free Media campaign this week.

Those who want a limited freedom of press quote what they call an irresponsible report.

But, sharing his thoughts on the JoyNews campaign, Pratt noted that the actions of some so-called irresponsible journalists can not and should not "justify the institution of authoritarian regimes" on media freedom.

Currently, the National Media Commission (NMC) serves as a means of controlling the media. The 1992 Constitution also allows anyone aggrieved by media publication to seek redress in the courts.

The defamation law, which allowed governments to prosecute journalists for their work, was repealed during the first term of former president John Kufuor, second president of the Fourth Republic.

What can threaten the freedom of the media?

Kwesi Pratt listed some situations that may limit the freedom of the media. one who is illiteracy.

According to him, the struggle for literacy is important because when most citizens do not know how to read, the media audience is considerably reduced.

What's more, what people are earning is crucial for the survival of free media, because when they earn a salary below the minimum wage, they have to choose between buying a newspaper and selling it. purchase of food.

He cited access to electricity as another threat to free media because if journalists produce the content and there is no electricity for the consume, people can be caught off guard.