The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) says it will head to the Supreme Court of Ghana to challenge what it describes as the growing misuse of the Electronic Communications Act by security agencies to target journalists.
The decision follows rising concern within the media fraternity over arrests and intimidation of journalists under provisions relating to “false communication.”
Speaking during a media engagement between journalists and National Security personnel, GJA President Albert Dwumfour said the development amounts to a form of censorship that undermines press freedom and constitutional protections.
He argued that the application of the law effectively turns civil defamation matters into criminal cases, a situation he described as dangerous for Ghana’s democracy.
“This is a backdoor restriction on press freedom, shifting matters that belong in civil courts into police cells,” he stated.
The Association maintains that the law was not intended to be used against journalists in the course of their work, noting that provisions such as Section 76 are being misapplied to harass reporters, particularly in cases involving alleged false publications.
Dwumfour further stressed that Ghana’s repeal of criminal libel was meant to promote media freedom, warning that the current trend risks reversing those gains.
“After the repeal of criminal libel, defamation became a civil matter. This law was never meant to be used as a tool to hunt journalists,” he added.
The GJA is seeking a judicial interpretation from the apex court on whether the law can be applied in its current form against journalists, a ruling that could have far-reaching implications for media practice in Ghana.
The Association also warned that continued arrests under the law could create a chilling effect on journalism, discouraging investigative reporting and weakening scrutiny of public institutions.
