The CEO of Ghana Telecommunications Chamber has said that threats issued by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong against journalist Erastus Asare Donkor on live TV are worrying.
Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express said the covering on the Ejura violence by the journalist was a live feed, therefore, cannot be accused to have incited anyone into a rampage.
According to Mr Ashigbey, "If he [Erastus] had done something wrong during the coverage, there are clearly spelt out ways In which we deal with that” and therefore not to be threatened by an influential person.
“So to issue out threats like that and to have a very influential person who is the Chairperson of a very influential Committee of Parliament issue threats on live tv that is definitely covered is definitely very worrying and for some of us,” he stated.
He added that Mr Agyapong’s threats to the effect that "if he [Mr Agyapong] were President, he would have ensured that Erastus Asare Donkor is beaten mercilessly,” is absolutely wrong.
“The President does not the power to beat anybody and the president will not go out to beat anybody," he said on JoyNews.
Mr Ashigbey cautioned all Ghanaians on the relevance of the media and the role it plays in the lives of citizens as far as their rights are concerned.
“As citizens of this country we ought to know that the media holds for us, the right to free speech, the right to free expression and so when that gets threatened, it is all of us our right that is being threatened upon.
“We should all seek that, which would not happen because currently as we speak, the only realm that is left to be able to keep in check is the fourth estate, the media and for them to be able to do their jobs, they cannot be subjected to issues like this,” he added.
Dr Kenneth Ashigbey's followed reports that Mr Kennedy Agyapong on Friday, July 9, was reported to have verbally abused and threatened to attack Mr Asare Donkor, “for the journalistic work that the latter undertook during the recent shootings and killing incident at Ejura” on Net 2 TV, a television station owned by the MP.
Meanwhile, The Multimedia Group has filed a formal complaint against the MP for threatening the life of the journalist.
In the letter, dated July 13, 2021, addressed to the Deputy Regional Commander, Ashanti Region, the media group demanded security protection for Erastus Asare Donkor.
It also called for a thorough investigation into the threats issued by the legislator.
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