Managing editor of the public and whatsappnewspapers, David Tamakloe says attacks on journalists infringe on their media rights.
This follows the recent arrest of the two Modern Ghana journalists,by operatives of the national security for alleged hacking of other people’s online accounts.
Though editors and journalists at the online news portal have attributed the action of the national security to a story they published about the Member of Parliament for Afutu, Alexander Afenyo Markin and the national security minister, Albert Kan Dapaah.
Speaking on the issue on the Gold Power Drive on Monday, Mr Tamakloe describedthe incident as very unfortunate given that journalists will be nervous to report stories about any individual in power because one can be killed or attacked.
“we are worried because we write stories about people every now and then and it is our responsibility to do that and so we are worried that if you are going to write stories about somebody and any person in power , you could be dealt with either by murder or anything and that is not good for our democracy”.
According to him, it is rather surprising that the Ghanaian Media is witnessing the highest form of Media attacks under the current president Akufo Addo who is touted as a human right activist and also one who campaigned on working to create the enabling environment for media practitioners to operate.
Mr David Tamakloe noted the action of the minister and the MP through the National Security can be best described as abuse of power.
He said the best option was for the two individuals to demand the pulled down and a rejoinder published. He is worried this is happening at a time the country has experienced numerous attacks on journalists.
He further urged media practitioners to always ensure best practices, uphold professionalism and consider ethics of the job as they carry out their duties.
On Thursday, operatives of National Security invaded the offices of the online portal following an opinion piece published about the National Security Minister Albert Kan Dapaah and NPP MP Afenyo-Markin.
Laptops belonging to the online media outfit were also seized in the course of the attack.
Story by: Pokuaa Berfi-Boadu/Radiogoldlive.com
