Violence Against Journalists An Offense Against God - Justice Yonny Kulendi | Social

A Justice of the Supreme Court, His Lordship Justice Yonny Kuleni has acknowledged that crimes, aggression, and violence with impunity towards journalists and media practitioners is not only an offense towards the society, the state, humanity and each democracy and freedom loving particular person on the planet but in addition an offense towards God.

He, subsequently, underscored the necessity for a concerted effort to deal with, hopefully considerably mitigate, and ultimately finish such impunity.

His Lordship Justice Yonny Kuleni made the assertion on the launch of the Journalists Support Fund in Accra on the Ghana International Press Centre.

The Journalists Support Fund was launched on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at a ceremony to commemorate the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.

The Fund which seeks to lift a minimum of a GHC 2Million seed capital goals at curbing assaults on journalists and as effectively provide authorized providers to journalists who're assaulted of their line of responsibility amongst others.

Read Also: GJA launches Journalists Support Fund

Speaking on the occasion, Justice Yonny Kuleni noticed that the ensuing crimes towards journalists who merely attempt to serve and promote the widespread good via with their pens, microphones, airwaves, crucial questions, and many others, has been on the rise the world over and regrettably are typically extra preponderant in our a part of the world.

“Understandably, the men and women of power, their agents and collaborators tend to deploy some of the very people that any professional journalist is sworn to serve, and to weaponise and exploit them to perpetuate aggression, violence, abuse, harassment and attacks against journalists and media practitioners. The resulting crimes against these men and women who simply strive to serve and promote the common good through their pens, microphones, airwaves, critical questions, etc, have been on the rise across the world and regrettably tend to be more preponderant in our part of the world. Needless to say, crimes, aggression, and violence with impunity against journalists and media practitioners is an offense against the society, the state, humanity and every democracy and freedom loving individual on the planet. I dare to say it's an offense against God,” he mentioned.

His Lordship Justice Yonny Kuleni added that, “This is why there is the need for a concerted effort, such as this, among others, to address and hopefully substantially mitigate and eventually end such impunity.”

He counseled the President and National Executives of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and their sponsors for the initiative to determine the 'Journalists Support Fund' with the purpose of lending help to journalists and media practitioners who turn out to be victims and regrettably some have paid the best value within the line of responsibility.

He mentioned the thought of ​​utilizing the fund to pursue authorized actions for journalists who might fall sufferer to such unjustifiable violence was very laudable and implored the general public to help it.

“In furtherance of this effort, I am inclined to postulate a thesis for our consideration. I hold the humble view that the impunity that is engulfing us is a reflection of an insidious degeneration in values, ethics, discipline and increasing contempt for institutions, authority, due process and the Rule of Law. This cultural deterioration, is a big part of the structural causes of violence and impunity against the media and practitioners,” he mentioned.

His Lordship Justice Yonny Kuleni continued that,”If we decide to a stand towards corruption, promote respect for our establishments, promote respect for legislation and order (the police and associated safety businesses), uphold and defend ethics in each space of ​​our endeavour, promote respect for the Courts and their service nevertheless imperfect, a resolve zero tolerance for violence as a option to resolve disagreements, a zero tolerance for corruption, we will likely be strengthening the muse and construction for making certain that each one women and men in service, together with our arduous working and devoted journalists and media practitioners can serve our nation and humanity with their expertise, hearts and conscience with out residing in concern of bodily violence, verbal violence/condemnation, concern for private security, blackmail and the protection of their households, mates and associates .”

He once more referred to as on the President and management of the GJA to think about initiatives similar to these above to advertise a wholesome dialogue on these structural issues.

“That said, may I implore the citizenry, corporate Ghana and our development partners to support this appeal for funds by the GJA in order to make the 'Journalists Support Fund' a reality and to achieve the purpose for which it is established,” he added.