A journalism group – United Press for Development Network (UPDN) has described a directive by the Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, threatening the withdrawal of the accreditation of journalists who abandon sittings in the Chamber to cover press conferences of individual Members of Parliament (MPs) or caucuses as “intolerant, undemocratic and unfortunate.”
According to the group, the Speaker must apologise to members of the press corps, because the statement is intimidating
“The position of Right Honorable Speaker is not only intimidating but an act to gag and censor the press.
“The inky fraternity has enjoyed press freedom, freedom of expression and cordial relationship with the august house (Parliament) and Prof. Mike Oquaye must be counseled to consolidate the gains and successes accomplished by his predecessors but not jeopardise it,” a statement signed by Kofi Asante Mensah, President of the group.
Meanwhile, Parliament has clarified that the Speaker’s decision was not aimed at gagging the media or stopping them from doing their work.