Attack on UTV: Ministry of Information says freedom of media and expression must be fiercely protected

The Ministry of Information says the right to freedom of expression and the freedom of the media are key pillars of democracy and must be fiercely protected.

The Ministry said this in condemnation of the attack on the studios of UTV, a local TV station based in Accra during a live broadcast on Saturday evening.

“The Ministry condemns in no uncertain terms, any unauthorized entry into media organizations in protest at media content or interference with media work,” a press statement dated Sunday, October 8 and signed by the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said.

The Minister disclosed that, “The Ministry made a report to the Ghana Police Service to intervene during the attack when the Media Monitoring Centre was notified of the authorized invasion of the studio by some thugs to express their displeasure over the content of the live program.”

“The Police subsequently arrested 16 persons at the premises of UTV, and investigations are currently ongoing,” the statement added.

Mr. Oppong Nkrumah encouraged “the media, especially broadcast media show hosts and panelists, to do their utmost to help promote national cohesion even as they exercise their fundamental freedoms.”