THERE is no doubt that journalists play crucial roles in nation-building. A country where press freedom is not practiced or where journalists are not allowed to work freely tends to deprive the citizenry of vital information about happenings within and around the world.
FOR instance, people in countries like Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Syria, North Korea, Uzbekistan and Belarus are virtually isolated from the rest of the world by authoritarian rulers. And sadly, these authoritarian regime countries muzzle the media and keep a chokehold on information through restrictive laws, fear, and intimidation.
IN addition to the above, there have also been instances where journalists have been subjected to all kinds of ill-treatments. In fact, we need not go far. We have had several incidents in this country where journalists have been publicly subjected to severe beatings.
WORRIED about such incidents, we at Weekend Today have always used this medium to condemn such attacks on those of us in the inky fraternity. This is why we are worried at the report that a police Constable with the Visibility Unit of the Ghana Police in Sekondi, Western Region, allegedly beat to pulp a broadcast journalist with Takoradi-based Skyy Power FM last Tuesday.
THE said police cop, whose name has been identified as Constable Wilson Bossey, reportedly got infuriated when the broadcast journalist, Danso Kyei Abeam, questioned him about why he [the cop] was on an unregistered motorbike with no crash helmet on. This, according to the report, saw Constable Bossey allegedly pouncing on Danso Kyei Abeam and beating him mercilessly.
ALSO according to the report, not even pleas from Mr. Kyei Abeam that he was a journalist could see Constable Wilson Bossey soften the beatings.
Weekend Today expected that Constable Wilson Bossey would have stopped his action at the point Mr. Kyei Abeam told him he is a journalist. But consumed by his anger, he continued with his action.
IT is against this background that Weekend Today condemns that action taken by Constable Wilson Bossey against the Skky Power FM broadcast journalist.
WE are happy that the Western Regional Chapter of the Ghana Journalists’ Association (GJA) has condemned the action of the cop. Indeed, Constable Wilson Bossey acted unprofessionally. It is equally refreshing that the Western Regional Police Command has commenced investigation into the incident.
IT is, therefore, our expectation that after its investigation, the regional police command will take disciplinary action against Constable Wilson Bossey.
FURTHERMORE, Weekend Today wants to assure the regional police command that we will not rest until justice is served our colleague.