GJA expresses concern about interdiction of journalists

Accra, Sept 4, GNA - The National Executive of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) on Friday held discussions with Ms Eva Lokko, Director General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporations (GBC) to express it's concern about the interdiction of four journalist and the Director of Ghana Television, Mr Kofi Bucknor.
The GJA said it considered the interdictions ill-timed considering the political season.
A statement issued by the GJA and signed by Ajoa Yeboah-Afari, President of the Association said the decision taken against Messrs Mr Emanuel Vorgbe, Editor-in-Chief, Francis Sasu, Assistant Chief Editor, Nana Yaw Duodo, Assistant Editor and Mr Solomon Ayih had generated deep disquiet among journalists.
The statement said part form the public interest in the matter; the interdiction of the journalists and the Director of GTV was being subjected to all sorts of interpretations.
It said the situation had been compounded by the failure of the GBC management to explain the circumstances that led to the action and stressed the urgent need for the authorities to clarify the matter. The statement said Ms Lokko explained that the matter was purely administrative and a measure taken to find solution to worrying and recurrent lapses in GBC News gathering.
She said the decision to interdict the five men was taken in consultation with the GBC Board of Directors and said she would inform the Board about the GJA's concerns.
It is recall that on Monday August 30, 2004, five persons were interdicted over a GTV business news item by the Pan African News Agency from the internet that preliminary negotiations between Ghana Airways and Ghana International Airlines, a strategic investor, had been suspended because the team appointed by Government to run the company did not agree to the terms proposed by the investor.
The following day, GTV Business desk retracted the story and carried an update that said the two sides had finally reached an agreement for Ghana International Airlines to become a strategic partner of Ghana Airways.