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Editor- in- Chief of the New Crusading Guide Newspaper, Kwaku Baako Jnr has described the four-month jail term served on a pro-NDC station journalist Salifu Maase aka ‘Mugabe’ and two other panelists as harsh.
He shares the same view with the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) position on the matter which involved its members.
The party has also condemned the sentence, saying it will have a serious dent on Ghana’s press freedom rankings.
“While respecting the verdict of the court and reiterating our condemnation of the utterances and comments made by the three, the party is extremely disappointed and saddened by the severity and harshness of the punishments imposed on them.
“Our utter disappointment not only stems from the fact that the accused persons themselves, demonstrated considerable remorse but also there has been an overwhelming outpouring of both condemnation of their conduct and pleas for the court to be lenient in its judgment and avoid custodial sentence,” NDC national chairman Kofi Portuphy said in a statement in solidarity with the trio.
Commenting on the matter on Joy FM’s News analysis show, News File Saturday, Kwaku Baako Jnr stated that other punitive measure could have been meted against the three offenders.
“I’m a conscientious objector when it comes to the imposition of custodial sentences on people who have committed contempt of court. If you ask me whether four months is too harsh, I will yes. I’m being very consistent; I’ve read a lot that they could have been given three years, one month…four months, I’m against it. We’ve all said that there is range of sanctions still available that could be applied, a fine, bond of good behavior or a combination.”
By-Kasapafmonline.com
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