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Emmanuel K. Dogbevi, Executive Director of NewsBridge Africa and Managing Editor of Ghana Business News, has called for the establishment of a United Nations court to address crimes against journalists.
Speaking at the Africa Check Awards on Thursday (10 October) in Accra, Dogbevi stressed the critical role of independent journalism in sustaining democracy and demanded accountability for increasing attacks on media practitioners across the continent.
“Journalism is not a crime and that’s why in the face of the increasing attacks on journalists, it must now become necessary for the United Nations to consider to set up a special court to try crimes against journalists,” he stated.
Such a tribunal, he said, should be modeled after the Special Court for Sierra Leone and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia to curb impunity against journalists.
He lamented the state of democracy and economic challenges across Africa, highlighting setbacks even in Ghana. He also cited the unresolved murders of Ghanaian journalist Ahmed Hussein-Suale and Cameroonian journalist Martinez Zogo, warning of a disturbing trend of violence against the press.
“Even Ghana, my beloved country, the once great example of a democratically progressive country with a bright economic future has seen decline in its economy, with a heavy debt burden resulting from bad governance and mismanagement,” Dogbevi said.
“State agencies like the police and military continue to flagrantly abuse the rights and liberties of citizens with the active collusion of the courts. Even journalists, are not spared. And the perpetrators are hardly held to account.”
He urged journalists to stay committed to their values despite the risks.
“The role of independent journalism in holding power to account, questioning the decisions of powerful people and businesses, exposing bad decisions, corruption, abuse of power and office, bringing to light hidden facts that the public has the right to know is the fuel on which the bus of democracy runs. Without it, democracy would grind to a halt, and the consequences could be dire.”
“The question then is: should the journalist serve the public interest or what the public is interested in? What the public wants might not necessarily serve its interest. But generating engagement, getting the numbers, clicks, and traffic accounts for some revenue,” he remarked, urging media professionals to remain innovative without compromising the truth.
He also called for solidarity and public support for journalists.
“Independent journalism is necessary in not only oiling the wheels of our democracy, it is also what would preserve our society and spur economic growth. But independent journalism can only survive and thrive to serve its role if citizens step up to defend, protect, and support those who practice it. But more importantly, when journalists stand together as one in pursuit of the facts.”
The Africa Check Awards recognized the efforts of journalists and fact-checkers across the continent, celebrating their contributions to combating misinformation and safeguarding democracy.
SOURCE: DAILY MAIL GH
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