Journalists to boycott RTU assignments

Tamale (Northern Region), 7th April '99 -

Journalists in the Northern region have resolved not to cover any activity involving Real Tamale United (RTU) until their security is guaranteed by the executive and supporters of the club. They are also demanding an unqualified apology from the executive and supporters for the violent behaviour exhibited by a section of the supporters towards reporters covering the premier league match against Accra Hearts of Oak last Wednesday. This was contained in a statement signed by the Northern regional secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association, Mr Adam Iliasu after an emergency meeting to discuss the assault on two journalists during the match. They said journalists in the region have come under constant threats by supporters of RTU for reporting rowdy behaviour at the Kaladan park. "Things went out of hand on Wednesday, March 31, when two journalists, Mr Shaibu Mahama of GBC and Mr George Alhassan, a photographer with the Information Services Department, former national star and former captain of Accra Hearts of Oak, were physically assaulted by a section of the supporters," the statement added. Mr Mahama was allegedly beaten by a mob led by one Max Soala and later whipped with an ox-tail by another person identified as King Dallah. The statement said, not even the intervention of Alhaji Ibrahim Adam, chairman of the club could prevent the supporters from attacking the journalists. "We have taken serious view of this development and we believe that our lives are not safe in the stadium anytime RTU play. We have, therefore, unanimously decided to boycott all activities involving RTU. "We wish to inform the supporters that journalists do not create scenes in the stadium. It is our duty to report what we see. If the supporters do not want us to report on any of their uncivilised and barbaric behaviour, then they should begin to behave rationally", the statement added. The journalists appealed to the Police to let the law take its course.