PRINPAG calls on police to expedite prosecution of 16 persons arrested for invading UTV studios

The Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) has urged the police to expedite action on the 16 persons arrested for invading the studio of Accra-based United Television (UTV) and arraign them before a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as a deterrent to others.

The call is in response to the dastardly attack on the host and guests of the United Showbiz programme by some alleged NPP youth.

In a statement issued by PRINPAG on Sunday, 8, October, 2023, and signed by its president, Mr. Andrew Edwin Arthur described the attack as unfortunate and unwarranted.

PRINPAG however, encouraged journalists in Ghana not to be deterred by such incidents, but to remain committed to their work as the Fourth Estate of the realm, adhering to the ethics of their profession without fear or favour.

The association stated that it “abhors these attacks on journalists and media houses in the country and we condemn the attack in no uncertain terms and without any reservation.

We are concerned about the continued occurrence of such acts in a country that used to boast proudly of its rankings on global press freedom indexes.” Portions of the statement read.

Furthermore, PRINPAG expressed concern that incidents like the one at UTV on Saturday night could undermine confidence and reverse progress in achieving positive rankings in future press freedom indexes.

However, it found solace in the swift action of the police, stating, “It is however heart-warming to hear that, the police moved in swiftly to arrest 16 members of the thugs to avert a possible bloodbath.”

Read PRINPAG’s full statement below:

Attention:

All Media Houses

Sunday, October 8, 2023

THE THUGGERY AND BARBARIC ATTACK ON UNITED TELEVISION (UTV) ON SATURDAY NIGHT UNFORTUNATE*

The Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), has noted with deep concern, the barbaric and uncivilized attack on United Television (UTV) by some thugs during the station’s United Showbiz programme on Saturday, October 7, 2023. The thugs invaded and disrupted the prime-time show while it aired live.

As an Association of Media Owners, we abhor these attacks on journalists and media houses in the country and we condemn the attack in no uncertain terms and without any reservation. We are concerned about the continued occurrence of such acts in a country that used to boast proudly of its rankings on global press freedom indexes.

It is important to note that, recently Ghana dropped two places – from 60th in 2022 to 62nd in 2023 in the annual Global Press Freedom ranking by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and a deliberate action to restore hope in the Ghanaian media landscape is urgently needed.

However, actions such as what occurred at UTV on Saturday night further enhanced the deterioration of confidence and eroded all gains made in achieving a positive ranking in the years ahead.

It is however heartwarming to hear that, the police moved in swiftly to arrest 16 members of the thugs to avert a possible blood bath.

We at PRINPAG would like to take this opportunity to call on all stakeholders, especially the Police to expedite action on the 16 persons arrested and arraign them before a court of competent jurisdiction so as to serve as a deterrent to others.

We wish to encourage journalists in the country further not to be frightened or cowed by these incidents, rather, they should resolve to do their work as the Fourth Estate of the realm without fear or favor going by the ethics of their profession.

Long Live Press Freedom, Long Live PRINPAG.

Signed:

Jeorge Wilson Kingson

Ag. Executive Secretary

0244822034

Andrew Edwin Arthur

President

0244980088

By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH