The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has announced plans to introduce an online platform to give journalists direct access to parliamentary information without having to rely on formal requests under the Right to Information (RTI) Law.
“Very soon, you don’t even need to go to Parliament. With the touch of a button, you can access all the information you need from Parliament. That is what is going to happen before the end of this year,” he said.
Mr Bagbin was speaking at the 30th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards in Accra last Saturday, on the theme: "Celebrating excellence, advancing media freedom and combating hate speech in the digital age."
In attendance were the President, John Dramani Mahama; the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie; the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Asiama; the Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno; the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin; government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, the Executive Chairman of KGL Group, Alex Apau Dadey; businessman Ernest Ofori Sarpong, journalists and media practitioners, among others.
The Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, chaired the event, while the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, a patron of the GJA, was represented by the Nkoranzamanhene, Nana Kwame Baffoe IV.
The Speaker said Parliament had strengthened its Public Affairs Department and also established a Public Engagement and Media Relations Department, alongside a Citizens’ Bureau to improve communication and engagement with the public.
He described journalists as permanent partners in the democratic process and urged them to approach Parliament with confidence to seek information.
“The House is your house. Walk in any time with the confidence and pride that an heir apparent enters the palace,” the Speaker added.
Mr Bagbin said Parliament depended on the media to promote transparency, public accountability and good governance, and commended journalists for their work in exposing corruption, human rights abuses, and environmental destruction, among other societal ills.
Journalists’ welfare
The Speaker said Parliament was ready to collaborate with the GJA to develop a Private Member’s Bill that would establish minimum conditions of service for journalists.
He said the initiative was necessary because journalists who risked their safety to inform the public should not have to contend with poor working conditions and job insecurity.
“Improving journalists’ safety requires more than legislation. Law enforcement agencies, political actors, media organisations, traditional authorities and citizens all have a responsibility to protect independent journalism,” Mr Bagbin added.
He pledged his commitment to work with the association and other stakeholders to make the initiative a reality.
Repeal
For his part, the Minority Leader, Mr Afenyo-Markin, called for the repeal of Section 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, and Section 76 of the Electronic Communications Act, arguing that the provisions could be used to criminalise free expression and legitimate criticism.
He said the use of the provisions to prosecute people over statements and publications threatened freedom of speech, particularly when applied to political commentary, satire and journalism.
Mr Afenyo-Markin said the Minority was not advocating irresponsible speech or defending falsehoods, hate speech and incitement, but maintained that defamation and false publications should be addressed through civil remedies rather than criminal prosecution.
“A person whose reputation is injured may seek redress through the courts.
A person who publishes falsehood may be required to retract, apologise and pay compensation.
“What should not happen is that disagreements, criticisms, satire, political comments, or even an honest mistake should become the basis for criminal prosecution and imprisonment,” he said.
