The group Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), has urged Government and its media handlers to consider bringing all media houses onto a common platform, as a way of making information readily accessible to all, irrespective of perceived political persuasion.

This, according to PRINPAG, will “avoid the situation where due to lack of information, some media houses are left with no option than to engage in speculations and conjectures to survive.”

In a statement issued and signed by its President, Andrew Edwin Arthur, to mark the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, today, Wednesday, 3 May 2023, PRINPAG noted that Government and its media handlers will by bringing all media houses onto a common platform “be promoting press freedom and pluralism of the media, which is crucial for our development in these contemporary times.” 

The association further noted that this year’s celebration themed: ‘Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for All Other Human Rights’ “emphasises the crucial role of press freedom, media independence and pluralism as well as the freedom of expression in upholding all human rights.”

In PRINPAG’s view, “our Common Agenda in the fight against media oppression and press freedom, is to enforce the right to access information that allows us to seek, receive and disseminate information, ideas, concepts and beliefs across borders and cultures.”

It indicated it is amazed “by the continued attempts to silence the media around the globe, with old methods of censorship, violence and harassment accompanied by increasingly pervasive digital attacks.”

It, therefore, called “on all media stakeholders, especially the government, to as a matter of urgency, prioritise the welfare and wellbeing of journalists throughout the country so as to ensure that, they are better placed to lend support to the national agenda through the practice of their chosen profession.” 

PRINPAG also called for “a swift release of outcomes/information on investigations into deaths and attacks on Journalists in their line of duty in Ghana.”

“We will continue to uphold the fundamental human rights of all persons and also use our mediums to protect and promote the rights of all persons in the country and these we will do by strictly displaying professionalism and the understanding of the nuances of the journalism profession,” the association assured.

The theme for this year’s celebration also marks the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day and coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Conference and its Declaration and Programme of Action on Human Rights, as well.