- December 7, 2017
- Posted by: emblisha
- Category: News
The attention of the leadership of the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) has been drawn to the violent attack and damage caused to studio equipment by a group of people on Justice FM in Tamale on the night of Thursday, November 30th, 2017.
GIBA wishes to state that these acts of violence are against the laws of Ghana and are criminal no matter the cause or provocation. Broadcasters, and for that matter radio stations, represent a wide spectrum of opinion and are mandated to present all shades of ideas and views to the public, hence the provision for “Right to Rejoinder” in the Constitution of Ghana. Attacks of this nature, carries no message except to demonstrate intolerance and misunderstanding of the rights of individuals in a democratic dispensation.
GIBA again wishes to state that, in a fast evolving and advancing society such as manifesting in Ghana today, such awkward acts stemming from sheer variation of opinion is backward, diffident, retrograde and a manifestation of minds not at par with modern society that can embrace a harmonious existence with one another.
GIBA has faith in the security agencies of this country and believe all will be done to bring the perpetrators of these acts to book in no time. We hope the punishment that will be deterrent enough to discourage similar acts in future. We also wish to, in the same light, encourage our members to look again at the security of their premises and access into their studios going forward.
We extend our sympathies to the management of Justice FM and assure them of every support in pursuing this matter to a just conclusion. We also wish to appeal to the general public to make use of the legitimate avenues for resolving and or addressing differences anytime they feel a broadcaster has not been fair to them. The GIBA Secretariat is open to receive and respond to such complaints at all times.
Long live independent broadcasting in Ghana, long live GIBA.
Andrew Danso-Aninkora
President