Private legal practitioner and former Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Award winner Samson Lardy Anyenini has highlighted the urgent need for stricter measures to address assaults on journalists. Speaking at the JoyNews national dialogue on defending media freedom, Anyenini emphasized how the failure to punish those who attack journalists leads to a culture of impunity, which not only endangers the media but also weakens the justice system.
During the dialogue, Anyenini criticized the current state of media protection in Ghana, pointing to numerous cases where journalists had been assaulted or threatened while performing their duties, with little or no action taken by the authorities. He argued that this lack of accountability emboldens perpetrators and weakens trust in law enforcement and judicial processes.
Anyenini declared that when wrong is not punished, it leads to impunity, creating a dangerous precedent. He explained that failure to hold offenders accountable sends a message that such actions are permissible, further endangering the safety and freedom of the press.
Several examples were cited to illustrate his point. Notable cases included the assault of Emmanuel Anteh, a former staff member of the Multimedia Group, by supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in 2012, and the brutal assault of journalist Latif Iddrisu by police officers in March 2018. Anyenini also highlighted the unresolved murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale, calling for decisive action by the authorities.
Anyenini’s critique extended to the National Media Commission (NMC), which he argued has failed to ensure that justice is served in cases involving assaults on journalists. He expressed frustration with the NMC’s inaction, stating that it contributes to a broader culture of impunity. He also mentioned the case of journalist Pius Asiedu, who was assaulted by a security officer and emphasized that such cases are indicative of a systemic failure to protect journalists and uphold the rule of law.
Threats against journalists were also highlighted, with Anyenini referencing the case of Joy News’ Erastus Asare Donkor, who faced threats in connection with his reporting. He stressed that these threats must be taken seriously, and those responsible must be held accountable to prevent a further decline in press freedom.
