5 Ghanaian journalists whose freedom have been violated and infringed on

Oheneba Boamah Bennie arrested He is a journalist withprivately-owned Power FM, was sentenced in Accra to two weeks in prison and a fined GH¢3,000 for "contempt of court" in connection with a video posted on Facebook in which he allegedly insulted President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo by claiming that after his re-election in 2020, the president met with eight judges to influence their decision in a legal challenge to the election result by his main rival, John Mahama of the NDC.

Now ranked 60 among 180 countries, globally assessed based on the level of freedom available to journalists, the country's new position was largely attributable to insecurity and continuous threat to the lives of media practitioners in their line of duty.

Broadcast journalists with Citi FM/Citi TV,Caleb Kudahand Zoe Abu-Baidoo were arrested by police officers on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, for allegedly filming at the premises of the National Security ministry.

The 1992 Constitution authorising new media outlets to launch without a license, at least 100 media outlets operate in Ghana, including radio stations, television networks, and internet sites.

Eric Nana Gyetuah, a reporter with Connect FM, a radio station based in Takoradi in the Western region, was trying to film a group of detainees when the police subjected him to an exceptionally violent assault before handcuffing him and taking him to the police station.

According to the management of the station, about seven heavily armed police officers stormed the premises of Citi FM/Citi TV in an attempt to arrest, Zoe Abu-Baidoo, another broadcast journalist, whom they claimed had received files from Caleb Kudah.

According to the Police, Kwabena Bobbie Ansah's arrest "became necessary after he turned down several invitations from the Police to him and others involved in the case to assist with investigations." Blessed Godsbrain Smart, a well-known journalist working for Onua TV was arrested in an alleged case of extortion, the details of which have not been disclosed by the police..

Read Full Story