The Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) has expressed deep concern over the High Court’s decision to convict and sentence senior journalist Larry Alans Dogbe of The Herald newspaper for contempt of court.
In a press statement issued on Friday, PRINPAG described the ruling in the case of Kevin Okyere v. Larry Alans Dogbe as “harsh, unreasonable, and disproportionate,” citing concerns over the circumstances surrounding the substituted service, the disputed notice, and the constitutional protections afforded to journalists under Articles 162 and 165 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
The association, which represents private media practitioners across the country, said Mr. Dogbe is a respected journalist whose work has made significant contributions to public-interest journalism.
PRINPAG disclosed that it is engaging Mr. Dogbe’s legal team to explore all available legal remedies, including the appellate process, in an effort to overturn what it described as “a troubling precedent for media freedom and responsible journalism in Ghana.”
While reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law, the association maintained that journalists should not be subjected to punitive measures for carrying out their constitutional responsibility of informing the public, particularly on matters involving public resources and accountability.
“Journalists must not be subjected to punitive measures for performing their constitutional duty to inform the public, particularly on matters involving public resources and accountability,” the statement said.
PRINPAG added that it will continue to monitor developments in the case and keep the media and the public informed as necessary.
The statement was signed by the President of PRINPAG, David Tamakloe.
