FREEDOM OF THE MEDIA IS FREEDOM OF THE PEOPLE

By Mawutodzi K. Abissath

Tuesday, September 11, 2001.

Do you know that Ghana is said to be the first commonwealth country in Africa to scrap the obnoxious Criminal Libel and Sedition Law - an act described by the National Media Commission (NMC) as "a triumph for freedom of expression"?

Even the United Kingdom (UK) where the seed of criminal libel germinated during the colonial era just to attempt to padlock the lips of African nationalists, who were using newspapers to spread their messages and agitation for independence, it is reported that this intimidating law is still breathing on the statute books despite the fact that it has not been applied for nearly 20 years or so.

Against this backdrop alone, some freedom lovers are of the opinion that when the time comes to recount the achievements of the NPP government during its first 12 months in power, the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law must be cited among the first, if not the very first:

Historical records of the media in America show that as far back as 1787, Thomas Jefferson wrote.- "Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers" or newspapers without government, I should not hesitate to prefer the latter".

This is the premium the people of America place on the role of the media in nation building:

Is there any wonder that America is today the only super power of the world? America is not only the most liberal nation on earth, where almost every creature will love to live, but the most advanced politically, economically, democratically, scientifically, technologically, and what have you!

It goes without saying that when a nation allows its people to think freely, imagine freely, concentrate freely, visualise freely, meditate freely and express themselves freely, they tend to develop mentally, spiritually and psychically and eventually bring to the fore, their inner creative power to produce wealth for the prosperity of their society.

The freedom of the media is indispensable for the prosperity of a nation.

In 1993-96, when Ghana's Parliament did not have a credible opposition because the strongest opposition parties boycotted parliamentary elections due to some circumstances beyond their control, it was the Ghanaian media that took it upon themselves to play the role of the opposition outside Parliament.

That was why in those days, the term "rubber stamp" gained-currency and that august house of honourable men and women was commonly referred to as "rubber stamp Parliament". Today, nobody dares characterise Ghana's legislature as "rubber stamp" any longer. For the vibrant Minority are marching the power-packed Majority, word for word, logic for logic and debate for debate. It is fantastic!

If over 200 years ago, America recognised freedom of the press as a sine qua non for human advancement, socio-economic and political progress of that nation, then the sky should be the limit for Ghana so long as constitutional democracy will be protected, practised, maintained and sustained. With only eight months in power out of a four-year first term, it is too early to start singing Hosanna Alleluia in praise of the new government for its total commitment to freedom of the media. But, so far, the government has demonstrated beyond any shade of doubt that it is committed to constitutional governance, rule of law and respect for the freedom of the media.   

          

With the creation of a Ministry responsible for Media Relations, coupled with the repeal of the Criminal Libel and Sedition Law from the statute books, the government has put into practical application the provision of article 162 of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees the freedom and independence of the media in Ghana. The media, generally represent the voice of the people who put the government in place in the first place.

This explains why this writer is of the considered view that the freedom of the media is the freedom of the people. In fact, the Criminal Libel Law was not meant for media practitioners alone. It was there to trap any citizen who might want to express their thoughts. 

   

It is now clear that the Media Relations Ministry has assumed the status and functions of the erstwhile Ministry of Information in a more democratic and pluralistic media environment.

One of its cardinal objectives is to directly link up the media with the presidency. In other words, the ministry is to make it easier for both the public and private media to have direct access to the Executive to enable them obtain first-hand information from the Office of the President in the discharge of their professional duties.

Put in another way, the ministry is to bridge any gap between the government and media personnel who are partners in national development. This was demonstrated when, in April this year, for the first time in the history of the media in Ghana/President J. A. Kufuor was brought face to face with many journalists, both local and foreign, to give account of his first 100 days in office. It was unprecedented in living memory in politics in Ghana.

Today journalists of both the state and the privately-owned media are accredited by the Media Relations Ministry and given equal opportunity not only to be stationed at the presidency to cover local events but to accompany the President on foreign trips to cover international assignments when the need arises.

Today, media men and women are daily briefed at the office of the President either by the Minister for Media Relations and Government Spokesperson, Miss Elizabeth Ohene, or by Mr Kwabena Agyapong, Deputy Government Spokesman, about issues of national interest.

Today, no fair-minded person can accuse the state media of being sycophantic or biased in favour of the lulling government. Journalists of the Daily Graphic, the Ghanaian Times, GBC and the GNA, are all professionals and are discharging their duties professionally, without fear or favour. 

   

This, is reflected in the quality of stories they are publishing or broadcasting, which cuts across the broad spectrum of national development issues such as education, health, agriculture, economy, art and culture, sports and, of course, politics.

So, too, the privately-owned media including the newspapers and the radio stations, cannot be accused of being against, or in favour of everything the government does. Programmes such as "The- Breakfast Show" on GTV, "Hot Issues" "on TV3, “Front Page" on Joy FM, "Agenda setting" on, Choice FM, just to mention a few, are first class manifestations of the advancement of the media industry in Ghana. But it must be admitted that sometimes, in their anxiety to discharge their duties, some media personnel tend to go to the extreme and cause excesses.

However, that is not the reason why journalists must be arrested and dumped in jail like common criminals. This is why the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law has placed the Ghana Government on top, of' all Commonwealth governments as far as freedom of the media and for that matter, freedom of expression and thoughts of the people of Ghana are concerned.

Now it's the responsibility of the media practitioners to reciprocate the goodwill of the government. This is a challenge to all journalists in Ghana. Those who do not know what to do should consult the Code of ethics of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA). But the days when Ghanaian journalists were characterised “docile" beings are over forever.

The author works with Information Services Department (ISD) abissath@gmail.com

NB: This article was first published by Daily Graphic Tuesday, September 11, 2001.