CSOs express concerns about subtle re-introduction of abolished Criminal Libel Law
Three Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), IMANI Africa and Africa Center for International Law & Accountability (ACILA), have expressed concerns about the subtle re-introduction of the abolished Criminal Libel Law in Ghana.
Their concerns come on the heels of the arrest and prosecution of Media General’s Captain Smart, Accra FM’s Bobie Ansah and Civil society activist, Mensah Thompson.
“We are deeply troubled by the growing use of the prosecutorial and judicial power of the State to punish criminal speech that allegedly falsely injures or damages the reputation of other persons or of an institution of State.
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“Instructively, during the heyday of the criminal libel law in the 1990s, the criminal law was used in precisely the way it is now being used to prosecute and punish journalists and public speakers for allegedly false or defamatory statements against certain family members or associates of the President,” a statement issued by the three CSOs said.
Read details of statement below:
CSO Statement_Stop Re-Introducing Abolished Criminal Libel Regime by Fuaad Dodoo on Scribd
