Media Freedom Advocate, Freeman Kwade, has called on journalists to unite and defend press freedom in the wake of investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ legal victory against former Ghanaian Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong.
Speaking on ABC this morning, Kwade described the U.S. court ruling as a landmark victory for investigative journalism and democracy, stressing that it affirms journalists’ right to protect their integrity against unfounded attacks.
The call for action follows a New Jersey jury’s decision awarding Anas an $18 million defamation settlement after finding Agyapong guilty of making damaging allegations against the journalist.
The case, which was filed in 2022, stemmed from comments made by Agyapong on The Daddy Fred Show, where he accused Anas of criminal activities, including being involved in the murder of fellow journalist Ahmed Suale.
Despite an earlier legal setback in Ghana, the U.S. court ruled in favor of Anas, with the jury emphasizing the defamatory nature of Agyapong’s statements.
The ruling has been hailed as a significant step in safeguarding press freedom and deterring public figures from launching baseless attacks on journalists.
Kwade, reacting to the verdict, emphasized the need for journalists to stand together, stating, “It is high time we journalists stand up for ourselves, not just as individuals but as a collective force to defend press freedom.”
He further noted that this case should serve as a precedent for protecting journalists from political and legal intimidation.
Meanwhile, in a related development, Ghanaian police have arrested a suspect in connection with the 2019 murder of Ahmed Suale, who was linked to Anas’ football corruption exposé.
The suspect is alleged to have shared Suale’s pictures with Agyapong before his assassination, to this, the suspect has admitted taking photos but denies selling to Kennedy Agyapong.
