The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has condemned comments allegedly made by media practitioner Blessed Godsbrain Smart, popularly known as Captain Smart, labeling persons who will vote for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 election as “beasts”.
The Association asked the board and management of Media General, owners of Onua TV, where Captain Smart works, to bring him to order.
The call was made by the GJA together with the Media Foundation for West Africa, Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association, Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), and the New Media Association.
Captain Smart on Accra-based Onua TV allegedly described as “beasts”, people who would vote for the NPP in the December elections.
This was after the outdooring of the Party’s Vice-Presidential Candidate in Kumasi.
Mr Albert Dwumfour, President of the GJA, admonished media practitioners to be circumspect and responsible in their reportage and utterances ahead of the December election.
He cautioned them against pronouncements that had the potential to undermine Ghana’s peace and stability, and could negatively affect efforts in protecting and defending media freedoms in the country.
Mr Dwumfour said as journalists, being critical and holding leaders accountable to the people should not be conflated with spewing hate speech and insulting personalities.
He said the Association was resolute in its defense of media freedom and free speech; however, it could not overlook unethical behaviour that brought the media profession into disrepute and undermined public trust in the media as an institution.
“It is important to note that this caution is not a gag on the right to free expression, given that there are decorous means and avenues for journalists and citizens to express their opinions loud and clear.
“We remain resolute in our defence for media freedom and that requires us to also champion media professionalism,” he said.
