The seeming confusion between the media and the police is sure to be a thing of the past with the introduction of the “Framework on Police-Media Relations & Safety of Journalists in Ghana.”
The framework, which was developed by the Ghana Police Service, in collaboration with the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and National Media Commission (NMC) among others, provides s settlement mechanism and procedure for addressing grievances that may arise from both institutions.
Sulemana Bramiah is the Executive Director of the MFWA, at the launch of the Framework yesterday in Accra, he indicated that the roadmap to its formation started about two years ago.
He said at the time a forum was held for the framework achievement, there was heightened tension between the police and the media, following an incident of police assault on a journalist.
The incident, however, provided an opportune time for the two institutions to dialogue and iron out issues between them, he said.
“Guided by the extraordinary leadership of the police administration and dedicated representatives of the various media groups in the country, nearly all of whom are here today, that meeting in 2018 ended successfully.
“It did not just end as an event it ended with a collective commitment to have in place, a document framework to guide police-media relations, and for the safety of journalists.”
Mr Bramiah added that the launch was evidence of the months of work at achieving the Police-Media Relations Framework.
He urged that concerns for the safety of journalists, and the need for improved collaboration between the media and security forces, often peak during electioneering periods, but this time round, there are other pressing issues, including health, borne out of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic that is wrecking havoc on the economy as well.
The MFWA Executive Director urged journalists and media organisations to help educate people on the pandemic, as well as the electoral processes, in order to achieve credible polls by curbing misinformation and fake news.
The Chief Director of the Ministry for the Interior, Adeline Annor Kumi, on her part, hoped the framework would strengthen the relationship between the media and the police, as well as provide modalities for addressing violations against journalists.
She said: “As the Chief Technical person at the sector ministry, it is of concern to me to hear or read accusations and counter accusations against the police, and, indeed, security agencies, in the media space.”
In scrutinising the police and the media, she noted that some of the reports are based on misconceptions, misinterpretation, and mistrust between the police and the media.
The Chief Director added that the media misunderstanding might be attributed to the expectation of the police working in a manner that may not be founded in law or the rules governing the police service.
“I, therefore, hope that this framework will help address all the concerns of the media reports, because they heighten tension among the general public.
“I believe this initiative is also a boost to foster a good working relationship between both institutions and would lead to harmony in your respective arena, especially in an election year and in the wake of this Covid-19 pandemic.”
Madam Annor Kumi congratulated the media and the police for the laudable step, especially when the document provides a complainant, settlement mechanism and procedure.
In a speech read by COP Akuffo Dampare on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, Mr James Oppong-Boanuh, he stated that in ensuring peace, safety and security in the country had become of public concern and called for co-responsibility and collaboration among stakeholders.
He said the joint initiative is aimed at fostering a mutual understanding of the relevant roles of the police and media, enhancing partnership transparency and accountability among the two institutions, and the public at large.
The post Framework launched to enhance police-media relations appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
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