Powerful individuals using defamation suits to silence journalists - GJA General Secretary
Dominic Hlordze, the General Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), warned on JoyNews during a discussion on defamation suits against journalists that powerful individuals and institutions are increasingly using defamation lawsuits to intimidate journalists. He described this trend as a serious threat to press freedom and investigative journalism in Ghana. Mr. Hlordze stated that many lawsuits are strategically filed against journalists perceived to lack financial resources, quoting, "The person realises that the journalist hasn't got what it takes to meet me in court. And so he runs to court to put you down."
Mr. Hlordze disclosed that more than 15 defamation and related cases are currently pending against journalists and media organizations across the country. He revealed that he is personally representing journalists in 15 of those cases. According to Mr. Hlordze, this practice amounts to a calculated abuse of the legal process, with some aggrieved parties deliberately bypassing remedies like the right of rejoinder and opting for litigation due to the financial and psychological burden it places on journalists. He added that the increasing wave of litigation is already affecting the quality of journalism, particularly investigative reporting.
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The General Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Dominic Hlordze, has raised concerns about powerful individuals using defamation
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