The Editor of the Daily Times, Mr. Kelly Fred Nyame, has issued a passionate appeal to Parliament to urgently pass legislation that criminalises attacks on journalists in Ghana. In a strongly worded statement, the seasoned editor described the increasing violence against media professionals as a direct threat to democracy and press freedom.
Mr. Nyame, who is widely respected for his advocacy on journalistic rights in the Western North Region, said the absence of clear punitive laws for assaulting journalists has emboldened perpetrators and weakened public confidence in the justice system. “It is unacceptable that journalists continue to be attacked with little to no consequence,” he stated.
The statement comes in the wake of several recent incidents where journalists were reportedly assaulted while performing their duties. Mr. Nyame said these attacks, especially in rural and mining-prone areas, are making it increasingly dangerous for reporters to cover sensitive issues without fear or intimidation.
“The state must show that it values the role of the media by offering legal protection to journalists, just as it does for judges, police officers, and other public servants,” he added. According to him, the work of journalists is equally vital to national development and democratic accountability.
He further urged lawmakers to consider drafting a press protection bill that outlines strict penalties for anyone who physically attacks, threatens, or obstructs a journalist in the line of duty. “We need more than just condemnation; we need enforceable laws,” Mr. Nyame emphasized.
Mr. Nyame also called on the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the National Media Commission (NMC) to intensify their lobbying efforts and present a unified front in engaging Parliament and the Ministry of Information on the matter. He said media institutions must not wait for more tragic incidents before taking action.
According to the Daily Times editor, the environment for press freedom in Ghana is deteriorating at an alarming rate. “What we are witnessing is not just occasional harassment but a sustained pattern of hostility against journalists,” he said. “This must not be allowed to continue unchecked.”
He appealed to civil society organisations, human rights groups, and international media partners to throw their weight behind the call for protective legislation. “We need local and global solidarity to make sure press freedom in Ghana is not just on paper, but protected in practice,” he stressed.
Mr. Nyame concluded by urging young journalists not to be discouraged by the risks they face, but to continue reporting truthfully and ethically. At the same time, he advised media houses to invest in legal support, insurance, and safety training for their reporters, especially those covering high-risk beats.
His statement has since sparked renewed discussions within Ghana’s media landscape, with several journalists and advocacy groups echoing the call. As attacks on media personnel continue to make headlines, many are now looking to Parliament for a concrete response to protect the freedom and safety of the press.
