Parliament’s Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has mounted a strong defense for press freedom, calling for the immediate repeal of key provisions in the Criminal Offences Act and the Electronic Communications Act, which he claims are being weaponised to suppress dissent.
Addressing media practitioners at the 30th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, the Effutu lawmaker argued that Section 208 of Act 29 and Section 76 of Act 775 have outlived their usefulness in a modern democratic dispensation.
He stressed that while free expression must be exercised within ethical bounds, criminalising opinions, public criticism, or journalistic publication threatens the foundations of democratic governance.
“Let me be clear, our purpose as a Minority is not to defend irresponsible speech. We do not defend lies. We do not defend hate speech. We do not defend incitement. We do not defend reckless publications that destroy reputations, endanger lives or undermine public peace. Freedom of expression is not a licence for irresponsibility,” he stated.
Drawing inspiration from former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s stance on media freedom, Afenyo-Markin noted that civil remedies such as defamation suits, retractions, and public apologies remain adequate avenues to address media infractions.
He expressed concern that resorting to criminal sanctions for honest mistakes or political commentary instils fear in citizens and journalists, effectively muffling public discourse.
“The answer to bad speech must not always be the criminal law. The answer to falsehood must be truth. The answer to propaganda must be fact. The answer to hate must be ethical journalism, public education and, where necessary, civil remedies. The answer must never be a return to the politics of fear,” the Minority Leader asserted.
Beyond legislative reform, the legislator condemned Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP), warning against attempts by influential figures to use exorbitant legal actions to silence critical voices and muzzle media independence.
“We will not accept a system in which the powerful use burdensome lawsuits not to protect their reputation, but to bankrupt journalists, exhaust editors and frighten citizens into silence. Justice must never become an instrument of intimidation,” he added.
Section 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) penalises the distribution of false reports likely to cause fear and alarm, whilst Section 76 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775) criminalises sending false electronic information that compromises safety or life-saving services.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana