Media General Files Official Complaint Against NPP Vice Chairman Over Threats to Journalists
Media General, the parent company of TV3 and other major media outlets in Ghana has officially lodged a complaint with the Ghana Police Service after one of its journalists was threatened by Alhaji Osman Masawudu the Third National Vice Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The move follows a troubling incident at a recent NPP press conference, where Alhaji Masawudu was captured on camera deliberately pushing down a TV3-branded microphone placed on the podium. The act, which many have described as an intentional show of hostility, has drawn widespread condemnation.
Following the incident, Mr. Masawudu further escalated tensions by issuing direct threats against Media General reporters during a radio interview. He warned that journalists from the media house could be physically attacked if they attended future NPP press events.
These comments have raised serious concerns about journalist safety and press freedom in Ghana, a country that has long prided itself on its democratic credentials and media plurality.
In response, Media General released an official statement, describing Mr. Masawudu’s actions as a direct attack on media freedom and an attempt to intimidate journalists. The media conglomerate stressed its unwavering commitment to protecting its staff and ensuring a free press in Ghana.
Media General considers the deliberate knocking off of its microphone and subsequent threats to its journalists as a blatant act of intimidation and a threat to press freedom, the statement read.
The company further urged the Ghana Police Service to conduct a thorough investigation into the threats and take appropriate action. Media General also called on the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), civil society organizations, and all media stakeholders to rise in defense of journalistic freedom and safety.
This incident comes at a time when there is growing concern among media practitioners about increasing hostilities toward journalists, particularly during election seasons. Advocacy groups have urged political leaders to set an example by upholding the values of democracy and respecting the role of the media.
As the 2024 general elections draw closer, Media General has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering accurate and unbiased coverage, and it remains resolute in protecting its reporters against intimidation or violence.