By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |
The Volta Regional Chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has directed its members to boycott all events of secessionist groups in the region following recent verbal attacks on journalists by elements of these groups at Asogli Palace in Ho.
By this directive, events of Homeland Study Group Foundation and other groups campaigning for the separation of Volta Region from Ghana as an independent Western Togoland will not be covered by journalists in the region.
Journalists on Sunday, October 28 suffered verbal attacks from some people believed to be in the camps of secessionist groups while on assignment to cover an engagement between chiefs from the region and Agbogbomefia of Asogli, Togbe Afede XIV.
The attack and hooting from the separatist elements who were drawn to the Asogli Palace having heard of the planned meeting between the chiefs, was too much for the journalists to bear, thus, forcing them to leave the event even before it started.
Blacklisting these groups was contained in a release by the Association dated October 30 and signed by its Secretary, Alberto Mario Noretti as a way of registering its displeasure and deterring others from attacking Journalists in the future.
The release said the Association “sees this conduct as totally unacceptable and cannot guarantee the safety of journalists who turn up for their events.”
It decried the increasing incidents of attacks on media practitioners and noted its resolve to resist such unwarranted attacks on members.
“The Association is unhappy with the soaring incidents of attacks on journalists in the Region in recent times and wishes to state that it will fiercely resist any attempt by individuals or groups to intimidate media practitioners in the Region.”
Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com
