17 November 2004

MFWA PUBLISHES BOOK ON GHANA MEDIA LAWS


Researching Ghana's laws pertaining to media and freedom of expression should now be easier thanks to a new reference guide published by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA). The IFEX member has just launched "Legislation on Media, Speech and Expression in Ghana: A Source Book."

Written by lawyer Akoto Ampaw, the 1194-page book includes an introduction to Ghana's media laws and the texts of almost 200 laws and regulations.

MFWA Executive Director Kwame Karikari says the book was published to help people understand the laws that have been historically enacted to silence those who speak their minds. "It is important for ? people to know [the laws] because the time of darkness where people did not need to know the laws that cover them is over."

MFWA has been working to establish a network of lawyers in the West African region to lobby for media law reform. The organisation recently held a two-day workshop in Accra, Ghana which brought together lawyers from Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone to discuss cases of impunity against journalists in the region.

Participants agreed to work together to defend journalists charged with criminal libel and sedition, including bringing cases to regional and international bodies.

To order "Legislation on Media, Speech and Expression in Ghana," contact MFWA at mfwa@mfwaonline.org

Visit:

- MFWA: http://www.mfwaonline.org
- Allafrica.com: http://allafrica.com/stories/200411050773.html
- Media Report on Accra Workshop: http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=69233


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Also from the Communiqué, 17 November 2004

INTERNATIONAL: IFEX MEMBERS CALL ATTENTION TO WIDESPREAD ATTACKS ON FREE EXPRESSION 17 November 2004 ZIMBABWE: GOVERNMENT TOUGHENS REPRESSIVE MEDIA LAW 17 November 2004 ALGERIA: IFJ REVIVES JOURNALIST SUPPORT CENTRE 17 November 2004 MEXICO: CPJ INVESTIGATES TIJUANA MURDER 17 November 2004 UKRAINE: IFJ REPORT URGES END TO BIASED ELECTION COVERAGE 17 November 2004 INTERNATIONAL: TAKE ACTION! WRITE LETTERS TO HELP FREE IMPRISONED WRITERS 17 November 2004 RUSSIA: FAIFE/IFLA TO EXAMINE CENSORSHIP IN RUSSIA 17 November 2004 INTERNATIONAL: Heinrich Böll Report Provides Snapshot of Arab Middle East Media 17 November 2004

Ghana

National security officials violently assault photojournalists 16 January 2012 Journalists attacked by angry mob 2 December 2011 Newspaper reporter receives death threats 17 October 2011 Police arrest two demonstrators 12 October 2011 Journalists intimidated, prevented from covering trial 16 September 2011 See all alerts: Ghana


West Africa

NIGERIA: Airport officials lock out journalists, hold equipment 9 February 2012 MAURITANIA: ANHRI condemns detention of activist 9 February 2012 NIGERIA: French journalists detained, thrown out of restive state 7 February 2012 CAMEROON: Coup charges against writer dropped, still faces military tribunal 7 February 2012 CÔTE D'IVOIRE: Two detained journalists released 3 February 2012


 
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