- May 3, 2019
- Posted by: emblisha
- Category: Uncategorized
Mr. Chairman, Chairman of the National Media Commission,
Hon. Deputy Minister of Information,
UNESCO Resident Representative in Accra,
Public Affairs Officer of the US Embassy,
President of the Ghana Journalists Association,
Chairperson of the Editors’ Forum Ghana,
Ag. President of the Association of Women in Media,
Senior Journalists,
Media Practitioners,
All protocols observed,
On behalf of the Executive Council and Members of the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), we are happy to join in this year’s World Press Freedom Day celebration.
In this fast changing technological world, Ghana like the rest of the world, is transitioning to digital broadcasting. The ability to practice free and fair journalism forms the backbone of information delivery through public service broadcasting to the citizenry, while holding governments accountable to the people.
Today, in celebrating World Press Freedom Day under the theme, “Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation”, we are being reminded of the very important and critical role press freedom plays in the development of democracies around the world. Journalists, while professionally executing their responsibilities, need to be able to freely perform their roles in an environment devoid of threats and fear, and most of all without censorship. Through digitization, information is received and shared in many innovative formats and has the potential of quickly shaping public opinion. A policy which seeks to limit the journalist to the exercise of his/her mandate and thus limits citizens’ right to the access to free media including transparent and reliable information needed to hold leaders and governments accountable, while carrying out their responsibilities as citizens, should be abhorred.
As Ghana approaches its election year, we pray that the tenets of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, the International Human Rights and the Freedom of the Press and Media are upheld, in order to ensure that our country achieves its goal of being the beacon of hope in Africa, and regain its enviable position of being the leading nation in Africa in championing press freedom. It is our hope that verbal, emotional and physical attacks on media personnel become unattractive, while our security agencies work assiduously to protect the lives of journalists in the country, as an attack on a journalist translates into an insecure society.
May we defend the rights of journalists, whose efforts help in the socio-economic development of our motherland, Ghana.
Long live the Ghanaian media.
Long live Ghana.
Long live GIBA.
Thank you.
Signed:
Gloria Hiadzi
Executive Secretary