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The Media General Group has advised the Ghana Police Service to dismiss broad charges and protect press freedom by exercising restraint in dealing with journalists who are legitimately doing their work.
This comes following the arrest of popular broadcaster Godsbrain Smart otherwise known as Captain Smart on Thursday, December 2 over some unsavoury pronouncements that hinge on peace and security.[ads2]
The Onua TV/FM morning show host was arrested by personnel from the National Security at his residence and was transferred to the Nima Divisional Police Command.
He was cautioned on the offence of offensive conduct conducive to breaches of the peace as provided under section 207 of the Criminal Act, 1960 (Act 29).[ads3]
Captain Smart was later granted bail after interrogations.
But the Media General Group believes the statement made by Captain Smart on live programme was interpreted differently by the police and concerned about the manner in which journalists and media practitioners are arrested in the country.[ads4]
In a statement, the Ghanaian media conglomerate believe the arrest and detention of Captain Smart is by no means an isolated incident, but “just one more egregious example of the intolerance increasingly creeping into the Ghanaian society.”
The Media General Group are the operators of TV3, 3FM, Onua TV/FM, Akoma FM in Kumasi and Takoradi-based Connect FM.
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