Associate Editor of The Fourth Estate, William Nlanjerbor Jalulah, has stressed that the ability of journalists to work freely and safely directly influences the strength of democracy, accountability systems and public discourse.
“Basically, their safety defines what they are able to do or what they are not able to do. When we have guaranteed safety for journalists, then we have guaranteed democracy.”. “The safety of journalists should be as important as anything to anybody who is a lover of democracy, a lover of development, and someone who wants to see a better society now and for the future,” he said.
Speaking on A1 Radio in commemoration of this year’s World Press Freedom Day marked on May 3, Mr Jalulah noted that while Ghana has made progress over the years, the working environment for journalists still presents challenges. He pointed to fluctuating press freedom rankings and past incidents involving threats and attacks on journalists as indicators that more needs to be done to improve conditions within the media space.
He highlighted concerns over instances where journalists have faced hostility from political party supporters and, in some cases, security personnel, describing such situations as troubling, especially when lawful enforcement mechanisms exist but are not properly applied.
“If these people who have the right to arrest will not choose to arrest, but will choose to attack, then it is worrying. Because it tells you that if others attack, then these same people who are also attacking, who should have been protecting the journalists, will watch this happen.”
According to him, ensuring the safety of journalists requires a shared responsibility across multiple levels. He explained that journalists themselves must be conscious of the environments in which they operate and take precautionary measures, particularly when covering potentially volatile events.
“The first layer is the journalist herself or himself. You are the first protector of yourself and so you must define what environment you are practicing in. And as much as you can, be sure that there is safety before you step in.” “You also have to make sure that you connect all the possible areas that should be connected to ensure that when you step out, you are in a safety environment.”
He also emphasized the role of media organizations, noting that employers have a duty to provide adequate protection and support for their staff, including risk assessment and safety measures where necessary.
“The employer must also provide security for staff. What environment are you practicing in? What environment do you have your staff assigned to carry out their work? When you are able to understand the terrain, you are able to appreciate the factors that can affect your staff, then you should be able to put in measures that will reduce the risks that you will be exposed to.”
At a broader level, he underscored the responsibility of the state to guarantee the safety of all citizens, including journalists, whose work contributes to national development. “If the one who has a right to protect you, does not protect you when you are doing your work to contribute to the development of the same state that should be protecting you, then it becomes problematic. And so to that extent, the state has a huge responsibility to ensure safety of all workers.”
Mr Jalulah further pointed out that in certain high-risk situations, such as elections, structured systems are put in place to enhance journalist safety, but stressed the need for more consistent and proactive protection mechanisms.
A1 Radio | 101.1MHz | Gifty Eyram Kudiabor | Bolgatanga
