The Minority in Parliament is demanding for officials of the National Media Communication (NMC) to be hauled before the House to answer questions on the alleged attack on free speech in the country.

This, the Member of Parliament for Tamale North, Alhassan Suhuyini said was because of the number of attacks on media practitioners in the country whiles discharging their duties.

“The Speakership and Leadership should consider the admissibility of the statement that there was the need for the House to invite the National Media Commission that is tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that media houses and personnel practice in freedom,” he said.

He added that the NMC should be made “to brief the House on what they are doing about the growing state-sponsored attacks.”

His comment comes on the back of the recent arrest of Accra FM Presenter, Kwabena Bobie Ansah after his ‘Citizen Show’ on Thursday night for allegedly publishing false news on January 11 on the political talk show.

Prior to his arrest, another journalist with Power FM, Oheneba Boamah Bennie, was jailed over claims made against President Akufo-Addo and judges.

The presenter was handed a 14-day jail term on Tuesday by the Accra High Court after Godfred Dame, the Attorney General charged him with contempt.

He was also fined GH¢3000 by the court presided over by Justice Elfreda Dankyi.

In addition, the Executive Director of ASEPA, a social group that advocates for good governance, Mensah Thompson, was on Thursday, February 10, 2022, granted bail in the sum of GHC 50,000 after he was arrested and charged for allegedly publishing false news against the President and the Ghana Armed Forces, although he had apologised for the claims.

This brings to three the number of journalists arrested in the line of duty this year.

Mr Suhuyini expressed worry over the recent attacks on journalists.

“Like any lover of democracy, any lover of free speech I am very worried and that is why I sought this morning to make a statement on the floor of Parliament drawing the nation’s attention to the threat and encroachment on the independence and the freedom of the media. Unfortunately, it’s still under consideration,” he said.

According to the MP, the involvement of President Akufo-Addo in the repelling of the Criminal Libel Law makes it an irony for such attacks to be happening under the same government.

In the view of the Tamale North MP, Alhassan Suhuyini, the use of force is not the cure to irresponsible journalism.

Meanwhile, the Kaneshie District Court has granted Accra FM presenter, Kwabena Bobie Ansah, a GH¢50,000 bail with two sureties.