Media freedom in channels in Ghana

The judicial service threatens to suppress the freedom of the press by its letter of threat, but “they lie badly”!

The Ghana Judicial Service issued a letter threatening media freedom and media practices in Ghana.

In the judicial service, the media published some articles which attacked the judiciary. Specifically, the letter from the Judicial Service stated that some of these attacks were directed against judges hearing the 2020 election petition. “They issued a threatening letter to the media. However, their threats are many. ”

1. Their threats to the media imply a frown on media freedom and subsequently limit freedom of expression.

• Their threats to the media actually threaten the “checks and balances mechanism” of government officials.

3. Their threats imply that very soon there will be only the national press in operation. This means that, as we have seen in other countries where media freedom has been taken away, the government can then control what it says. And that’s what they seem to envision for Ghana.

Is a judge above criticism? The president of the GJA, in his response to these threats from the judiciary, categorically stated that judges are not immune to criticism. Constructive criticism is accurate and does not pose a threat to the recipients.

In your court you have what you call “discretion”, you know what that means? It means your freedom to decide something even when there are laws. And this right, you continue to exercise. Hereby you have so much right as a judge that you want to use your right to enchain the Constitution of Ghana. “You lie badly!”

The media are there to check on some of you in government offices that are not doing your job the way you should. The media and Ghanaians are not afraid of judges but of certain attitudes of some of you judges.

“Don’t run away from criticism, that’s what makes you grow: you don’t grow if you don’t get criticized.” (Emmanuel Graham Nyameke 2015)

“It is the bitter pill that heals you, be quick and swallow without hesitation, you will be healed soon!” (Graham Nyameke 2019)

By your threat letter, the media will not stand aside and see society as corrupt.

Good luck with your job.

From the pen of Emmanuel Graham Nyameke.