Prominent private legal practitioner and law lecturer, Justice Abdulai, is calling for a bold judicial reform: the establishment of specialised media courts in every region of Ghana. This comes in response to the growing wave of attacks, harassment, and intimidation of journalists, which many believe threatens the foundations of press freedom and democracy in the country.
The call follows public outrage after the recent brutal assault on a journalist and a civilian during the controversial demolition of the McDan warehouse at Spintex on July 30, 2025, reportedly involving police and military personnel.
📰 A Nation in Alarm: Media Under Threat
Speaking during an appearance on “The Big Issue” on Channel One TV on Saturday, August 2, Justice Abdulai described the continuous attacks on media practitioners as not only alarming but deeply damaging to Ghana’s democratic accountability and rule of law.
“The persistent assaults on journalists go far beyond individual harm—they undermine public trust in our institutions and erode the role of the media as the fourth estate,” he stated.
⚖️ The Media Court Proposal
To counteract these escalating incidents, Justice Abdulai proposed the establishment of dedicated “media courts” in all 16 regions of Ghana. These courts would exclusively handle both civil and criminal infractions involving journalists, providing a focused legal framework to protect press professionals and ensure perpetrators are held accountable swiftly.
“My call to stem this tide will be to establish a dedicated court to deal with infractions of journalists. I probably will call it a media court,” Abdulai explained.
“In every region, we should have one media court to deal purely and solely with infractions of the media, whether in the form of a civil action or criminal action.”
Key Elements of the Proposal:
- Regional media courts with trained judges and staff specialized in media law.
- Dedicated prosecutors to pursue offences involving journalists.
- Expedited hearings to avoid prolonged legal delays.
- Legal support networks for media practitioners, especially freelance and community journalists.
🤝 Legal and Media Partnerships
In addition to the specialized courts, Justice Abdulai also recommended the formation of lawyer-journalist associations or legal coalitions that can provide pro bono legal support, strategic litigation, and policy advocacy for journalists under threat.
“We should have lawyer-journalist associations, whether within the media space or external legal volunteers, who may be willing to lend their support to these matters,” he suggested.
Such networks, he argued, could bridge the gap between the legal profession and media industry, helping to build capacity, ensure swift redress, and deter further violations.
📉 A Systemic Issue Beyond Press Releases
Justice Abdulai criticized the current official responses to media attacks, which often consist of press statements, apologies, or internal reviews, with few meaningful outcomes.
“The current system has proven ineffective. We see investigations launched and then forgotten. Justice is often delayed or denied,” he lamented.
“Without a robust mechanism to hold perpetrators accountable, the cycle of violence and impunity will continue.”
🛑 A String of Recent Incidents
Ghana’s media landscape, once hailed as one of Africa’s most vibrant, has come under intense scrutiny in recent years following several high-profile incidents:
- The assault of Citi FM’s Caleb Kudah by national security officers in 2021.
- Attacks on journalists covering political events and protests.
- The death of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale in 2019, which remains unresolved.
- Most recently, the July 30th assault at Spintex during the McDan demolition incident, which has reignited public debate over journalist safety.
🧭 The Road Ahead
Justice Abdulai’s proposal is already stirring discussion among legal scholars, media stakeholders, and civil society advocates. While it remains to be seen whether the government or Judicial Service will act on it, many believe it could mark a turning point in media protection policy in Ghana.
Advocates say such courts could serve not only as a deterrent but also as a symbol of Ghana’s commitment to upholding democratic values and protecting the right to free expression.
📢 Conclusion: From Outrage to Reform
Justice Abdulai’s remarks echo a growing public demand for real solutions, not just reactions, in the face of increasing threats to journalists. As Ghana continues to navigate its democratic journey, the question remains: Will the nation rise to protect those who hold power to account?
STORY BY: KENNEDY AMPONSAH NTI
EASTERN FM 105.1 MHZ
