Ghana's Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has vowed to oppose any law aimed at silencing journalists, telling Parliament on Tuesday, 10 November, that the House must never curtail media liberties. Bagbin said journalists must be able to work independently and carry out their watchdog role without censorship, threats or political interference.

Speaking during his commencement speech to Parliament, the Speaker referred to Article 162 of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees the freedom and independence of the media and prohibits censorship. He said it was for good reason that the Constitution guaranteed those freedoms and warned against censorship. "While I am Speaker, I will not support any law whose purpose or effect is to cow journalists into silence," he added.

Watchdogs, not lapdogs

The pledge follows remarks Bagbin made three days earlier at the 30th Ghana Journalists Association Media Awards at the Palms Convention Centre, La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, on Saturday, 7 November. There he urged journalists to remain vigilant in holding public officials to account, describing power as "a monster that must be properly managed" and praising the media for investigations into illegal mining, corruption, human rights abuses and child abuse in schools.

Quoting American journalist Amy Goodman, Bagbin told reporters to be "watchdogs and not lapdogs", while warning that the freedom to criticise should not be used to destroy reputations through misinformation. He also cautioned against the spread of hate speech and the misuse of social media, where anonymous accounts and unverified commentary can inflame ethnic tensions.

Parliament's doors open to the press

On the relationship between Parliament and the press, Bagbin assured journalists that "the House is your house", saying Parliament's doors would remain open to support access to information and professional reporting. He urged reporters to look beyond political exchanges and explain the substance of legislation and how government policy affects ordinary Ghanaians.

Bagbin also reaffirmed Parliament's readiness to work with the Ghana Journalists Association and other stakeholders on a Private Member's Bill aimed at improving journalists' working conditions. Association president Albert Kwabena Dwumfour described the assurance as a significant commitment to the welfare and professional dignity of journalists. Read the full account of the Speaker's pledge in the Ghana Guardian, and his address to journalists at the awards in the Ghanaian Times.