Media General question basis for Captain Smart’s arrest after he was granted bail.
Onua FM and Onua TV’s parent company, Media General, have questioned the reason for Captain Smart’s arrest on Thursday, December 2, 2021.
Captain Smart’s arrest
Smart was arrested because of some unsavory remarks he made about the country’s peace and security in a broadcast, but the Media General said in a statement that his comments should not have been interpreted in that way by the Police.
Smart’s employers also expressed alarm over “the emerging pattern of arresting journalists and media practitioners.”
According to them, it was “yet another flagrant illustration of the bigotry that is steadily infiltrating Ghanaian culture.”
“This current tendency of selecting journalists has harmed journalists who work with Media General who are only performing their jobs and, like every Ghanaian, should be protected by the Constitution,” the statement added.
“Captain Smart’s arrest and incarceration today is far from an isolated occurrence, but rather one more glaring illustration of the intolerance that is infiltrating Ghanaian culture.
We are certain that a comprehensive examination of Captain Smart’s whole remark would disclose that it did not constitute a danger to the country’s peace and stability, as alleged by the Ghana Police “.
The statement also encouraged the Ghana Police Service and the Inspector General of Police to display a moderation in dealing with journalists who are lawfully carrying out their duties.
“The Media General Group would like to encourage the Ghana Police Service and the IGP to display prudence in their dealings with journalists lawfully conducting their business and dismiss these wide accusations in order to defend press freedom,” the statement stated.
“We will continue to preach and practice responsible journalism at Media General. We will, however, continue to encourage our journalists and broadcasters to be courageous, honest, and straightforward in their professional views at all times “.
His release
Thursday, December 2, 2021 (ACCRA)- The Nima Divisional Police Command arrested Blessed Godsbrain Smart, a.k.a. “Captain Smart,”
the anchor of the morning show “Onua Maakye” on Media General subsidiaries Onua TV and Onua FM, today.
Smart received officials from the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) at his house about 11 a.m. on Thursday, who invited him to their office, which he did. He was then transported to the Nima Police Station in Accra for questioning.
Smart was cautioned at the Nima Police Station for the “offense of provocative behavior conducive to breaches of the peace as stipulated under section 207 of the Criminal Act, 1960 (Act 29).” He was granted bail after providing a caution statement.
The arrest of Captain Smart, according to the police, was owing to certain nasty comments he was supposed to have made, which, they added, hinged on the country’s peace and security.
However, Media General feels that Captain Smart’s comments should not be taken in the way that the Police did, and we are increasingly worried about the current trend of arresting journalists and media practitioners.
This latest tendency of selecting journalists has harmed journalists who work for Media General and are only performing their jobs and, like any Ghanaian, are protected by the Constitution.
Captain Smart’s arrest and incarceration today is far from an isolated occurrence, but rather one more glaring illustration of the bigotry that is infiltrating Ghanaian culture.
We are certain that a comprehensive examination of Captain Smart’s whole remark will disclose that it did not constitute a danger to the country’s peace and stability, as alleged by the Ghana Police.
The Media General Group would like to encourage the Ghana Police Service and the IGP to display prudence in their dealings with journalists who are properly carrying out their duties and to dismiss these wide accusations in order to defend press freedom.
We will continue to preach and practice responsible journalism at Media General. We will, however, continue to encourage our journalists and broadcasters to be courageous, honest, and straightforward in their professional perspectives at all times.
Some Ghanaians express their worry about the situation.
source: graphiconline
