The Ministry of Information has condemned the unauthorized entry into the studios of UTV, a private TV station in Accra, by a group of people on Saturday, October 7, 2023.
The Ministry, in a statement on Sunday, October 8, 2023, said the group allegedly entered the studios to express displeasure at the content of a live TV program.
The statement said the police have since arrested 16 persons at the premises of UTV, and investigations are currently ongoing.
The Ministry condemned in no uncertain terms any unauthorized entry into media organizations, in protest at media content, or interference with media work.
“The right to free expression and the freedom of the media are key pillars of our democracy and must be fiercely protected,” the statement said.
The Ministry said it stands with the police and the courts in the conduct of their duties.
The Ministry also wished to encourage the media, especially broadcast media show hosts and panelists, to do their utmost to help promote national cohesion even as they exercise their fundamental freedoms.
The statement was signed by the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.
This incident comes at a time when there is growing concern about the safety and security of journalists in Ghana. In recent years, there have been a number of attacks on journalists, both physical and verbal.
The Ghana Journalists Association has condemned the attacks and called on the government to do more to protect journalists.
The government has said it is committed to protecting the safety and security of journalists, but more needs to be done to address the concerns of the media.