Chief of Staff Julius Debrah confirmed that the government will pursue investigations into alleged attacks and brutalities against journalists during the demolition of the La Pleasure Beach on October 2. Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the 30th GJA Media Awards in Accra on Wednesday, October 7, he reiterated his commitment to protecting media freedom.
“Government will follow through with the brutalities that have been reported by the president of GJA,” Debrah said, underscoring the expectation that public officials provide timely information, respond to legitimate questions and safeguard media freedom.
He urged journalists to uphold professional standards, warning that the drive to be first should not compromise national peace or an individual’s reputation. “Journalists, for their part, must verify, offer a fair hearing, separate fact from opinion, and correct errors when they occur,” he added. He also cautioned that disagreement with a headline or conclusion should not be treated as hostility, just as scrutiny of public officials should not be viewed as disloyalty.
Debrah highlighted the growing influence of technology and new media, noting that mobile phones now serve as newsrooms, radio stations, television studios and printing presses for many journalists and content creators. He said the growth of new media and blogging had broken traditional barriers, created jobs for young people and amplified voices that were previously overlooked.
While acknowledging these developments, he stressed that the basic principles of journalism remain unchanged regardless of the platform used. “A professional may work from a large newsroom or from a phone or a laptop. In both cases, credibility is built in the same way,” he said. He urged journalists to verify information before publication, distinguish facts from allegations, respect privacy and human dignity, declare conflicts of interest and openly correct mistakes when they occur.
The investigation into the alleged assaults will be conducted in line with the government’s commitment to media freedom and the rule of law, with further details to be announced by the relevant authorities.
