Obnoxious libel law must be repealed

Mr Elvis Aryeh, The Editor of Ghana’s Daily Graphic newspaper has said that a positive step needs to be taken to repeal laws that impede freedom of expression.

This, he said, would enable journalists to perform better and enhance the operations of the media. He said that as long as the “obnoxious criminal libel laws” exist in the statute books, so long would the journalist be as restricted on the freedom of expression.

Mr Aryeh was speaking at a five-day seminar for news editors drawn from the print media to improve and enhance their skills in preparation for the coverage of the December 7 elections. The Thompson Foundation and the British Council in Accra organised the seminar.

Mr Aryeh said journalists should perform their duties with great responsibility since other people's reputations were at stake.

Mr Gregory Quinn, Second Secretary of the British High Commission on Political, Press and Public Affairs, expressed the hope that the course would help the participants to present issues to the electorate to make informed choices.