The National Media Commission (NMC) has approved the method of investigative journalism employed by investigative journalist Anas as healthy and necessary for the growth of the media landscape in Ghana.
The commission has however expressed serious concern about verbal abuse and threat received by Anas over his latest investigative piece.
According to the Commission, the situation is disappointing, given that Ghana recently hosted World Press Freedom Day and celebrated media freedom, which is the basis for the successful practice of democracy and sustainable development.
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“The National Media Commission (NMC) finds current discussions regarding the permissible scope and methods of investigative journalism, which have been rekindled by the most recent expose by Anas Aremeyaw Anas healthy and necessary for the qualitative growth of media in support of consolidating Ghana’s democracy.”
NMC noted that independent professional journalism based on independently verifiable facts plays a vital role in the government giving account to the public and also informs the people on the government’s wrongdoings and provides the public with a space to participate in decision making.
NMC advised all administrative justice actors including the police, prosecutors, and judges to ensure journalists and media outlets are protected.
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According to NMC, a society can only grow when it respects ideas and tolerant different attitude and no place for violence.
“The NMC believes that society grows when there is respect for contending ideas and tolerance for differing attitudes. Hence, our nation’s path towards growth has no place for the use of violence in processing claims on society.”
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The commission also reminds the public that the Constitution provides legitimate avenues for recourse for those who feel wronged by the media
“We, therefore, urge that anybody who has concerns regarding the media, or any journalist and how they carry out their functions, should seek redress at the Commission, in the law courts or through any methods prescribed by Ghanaian law.”