The Ghana Journalist Association (GJA), has condemned the actions of the two radio panelists who threatened the lives of judges in the country.<\/p>\n
A statement signed by GJA President, Affail Monney, called on the National Media Commission with support from the National Communication Authority to investigate the issue and ensure the necessary sanctions are applied to serve as deterrent for others.<\/p>\n
[contextly_sidebar id=”esArtN0KzQKYqkVOApAjXlVIjClZ0RmH”]\u201cWe find such intimidation of the judiciary who are the final arbiters of justice totally unacceptable and call on the National Media Commission with support from the National Communication Authority to investigate the matter and ensure that the law takes its cause to serve as a deterrent to persons contemplating such undemocratic practices and irresponsible behavior, especially this election year,\u201d a statement from GJA added.<\/p>\n
Alistair Nelson, along with another panelist, Godwin Ako Gunn, allegedly threatened to \u201cfinish\u201d the Supreme Court and High Court judges if they made any judgment against the Electoral Commission in the ongoing court case challenging the validity of the voters\u2019 register.<\/p>\n
The two have been widely rebuked over the comments.<\/p>\n
The Ghana Bar Association on Friday called for the arrest and prosecution of the two, saying the comments “were also meant to incite hatred among the public against the judges.\u201d<\/p>\n
GJA in the statement called on media owners as well as the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), to ensure that intemperate language is prevented on the airwaves especially ahead of the 2016 general elections.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe take this opportunity to once again draw the attention of all stakeholders, including the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), to ensure that operators of broadcasting stations avoid such intemperate behaviour and infuse greater responsibility in terms of civility, decorum and circumspection on the airwaves in particular and the media in general.\u201d<\/p>\n
One panelist apologizes<\/strong><\/p>\n One of the panelists later apologized<\/a><\/strong><\/span> for his seemingly incendiary comments.<\/p>\n Mr. Nelson, apologizing via a statement said: \u201cI participated in a program on Montie FM. During my contribution, I made statements that in context, content (though conditional) and timing, are regrettable. Notwithstanding the many distortion that have accompanied the numerous public comments, I wish to apologize unreservedly to the listening public, including those who have called to caution and advise, and all members of the bench who have been offended by my contribution on the programme.\u201d<\/p>\n The two were later invited <\/a><\/strong><\/span>by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), on Sunday for questioning.<\/p>\n Below is the full statement from GJA:<\/p>\n GJA Condemns Threats Against Judiciary<\/strong><\/p>\n The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), without reservations and restraint, condemns two panelists alleged to have threatened the lives of judges in the country during a discussion programme on Montie FM, an Accra-based radio station.<\/p>\n We find such intimidation of the judiciary who are the final arbiters of justice totally unacceptable and call on the National Media Commission with support from the National Communication Authority to investigate the matter and ensure that the law takes its cause to serve as a deterrent to persons contemplating such undemocratic practices and irresponsible behaviour, especially this election year.<\/p>\n The Judiciary is certainly not above reproach. However, people with grievances must take to laid down procedures rather than adopt such Machiavellian tactics. Such crude methods of intimidation should not be tolerated since they have the potential to undermine the democratic process and endanger the peace which is so vital in an election year. We take this opportunity to once again draw the attention of all stakeholders, including the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) to ensure that operators of broadcasting stations avoid such intemperate behavior and infuse greater responsibility in terms of civility, decorum and circumspection on the airwaves in particular and the media in general.<\/p>\n Signed: –<\/p>\n By: Godwin A. Allotey\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana
\nThe GJA gives every encouragement to the media to promote healthy political discourse but never to relax in their gate-keeping role in ensuring that divisive and derogatory utterances, especially those that raise the political temperature are not allowed on our airwaves.<\/p>\n
\nAffail Monney
\n(GJA President)<\/p>\n
\nFollow @AlloteyGodwin<\/a>
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