Private legal practitioner and former GJA Award winner, Samson Lardy Anyenini, has called for stricter accountability for assaults against media workers, emphasizing that impunity arises when wrongdoing goes unpunished.

Speaking at the JoyNews national dialogue on defending media freedom on Thursday, August 29, Anyenini highlighted several cases where journalists were assaulted or threatened, yet no significant actions were taken, even after formal reports were filed.

He underscored that when such cases are ignored or not pursued, it erodes confidence in the justice system and emboldens further violations.

"When wrong is not punished, that’s where you get impunity," he pointed out.

Mr Anyenini cited specific instances, such as the 2012 assault on Emmanuel Anteh, a former staff member of the Multimedia Group, by New Patriotic Party supporters angry over their party's election loss. Despite public promises of support, he noted that these promises were never fulfilled, leaving Mr Anteh struggling with the consequences of the assault.

He also recounted the case of Latif Iddrisu, who was assaulted by some police officers in March 2018 after posing a question to them at a protest.

Despite multiple surgeries and medical reports from specialists in Korle Bu and America, the police denied responsibility, claiming there was no CCTV coverage on the day of the incident.

“Who harmed him and for what purpose?” he questioned while criticising the lack of accountability and the National Media Commission's (NMC) failure to follow through on initial attempts at settlement.

Mr Anyenini further referenced the unresolved murder of journalist Ahmed Suale and other cases like Pius Asiedu, who was assaulted by a security officer and underwent surgery, and the threats against Joy News' Erastus Asare Donkor.

He expressed frustration with the lack of progress in these cases and the broader issue of impunity for crimes against journalists.