The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has condemned the attack on an Accra-based television station, United Television (UTV) on Saturday, October 7, 2023. This comes after some men believed to be members of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), stormed the premises of UTV and temporarily interrupted the United Showbiz show.
They threatened to attack the host and her panel, accusing them of criticizing the ruling administration unfairly. NCCE in a statement issued on October 9 described the “incident as unfortunate and disturbing, especially in a thriving democracy where citizens have the right to express their views, and those who feel aggrieved by such views equally have the right to channel their concerns through the appropriate legal means.”
“Such attacks must not be tolerated as they serve as impediments to our fledgling democracy,” it added. The statement noted that “The alleged attack on innocent journalists and media commentators and the invasion of a live studio discussion is unacceptable and cannot become part of media culture and practice.”
It added that using the youth to perpetrate this unwarranted attack among others is a threat to peace and security, especially as the country gears up for the upcoming District Level Elections and the 2024 general election explaining that “these acts have the potential to throw the country into chaos and erode the democratic dividends chalked over the past three decades.”
NCCE in this regard, called for the freedom of expression and media freedom which is guaranteed by the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, to be respected by all.
They also entreated political parties and actors to avoid intemperate language and uphold the culture of political tolerance enshrined in the Fourth Republican 1992 Constitution. Further, the Commission urged “political parties to practice politics of decency that is acceptable in the democratic ethos to help strengthen and safeguard the peace and unity of our nation.”
The NCCE, also applauded the Ghana Police Service for their swiftness in the arrest made for investigations to begin while urging the Service to follow the matter to its logical conclusion and punish the offenders to serve as a deterrent to others.
By: Emma Ankrah
