The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has condemned an attack on Angel Broadcasting Network’s reporter, Augustine Ahiagbor, by some residents of Ashaiman Lebanon Zone Two.
The suspects on Thursday, May 25, 2023, apart from launching the physical attack on the journalist, also got his belongings, including his mobile phone and other gadgets destroyed.
He had gone to cover the collapse of a private toilet facility on May 25, 2023 and his presence incurred the wrath of some members of the community who attacked him.
A man advanced in age and his son led the attack and were subsequently joined by other residents who forced Ahiabor to delete the video shots he had taken, and in the process, physically assaulted him and damaged his smartphone.
“We wish to advise the general public to appreciate that journalists work in their interest and so they (public) must accord journalists the respect they deserve in their line of duty,” Tema Region Chairman of the Association, Emma Dzifa Tetteh Tay, said in a release issued on May 30, 2023.
The release added: “A Journalist reporting on the collapse of a toilet facility is only helping to bring the accident and problem to the authorities concerned for solution, and that journalistic endeavour only seeks to bring comfort to the people that requires applause, and is never
a crime that warrant assault.”
“Even where community members feel aggrieved by the work of journalists, they must use lawful means to seek redress instead of taking the law into their own hands. It is worth reiterating that journalism is not a crime and the GJA condemns the attack on Augustine Ahiabor in no uncertain terms.
The safety of journalists should be the concern of all. The Tema Regional Branch of the GJA will keenly follow developments on the case to ensure that justice is duly served,” it indicated.
