Ken’s Jail Should Be A Lesson For All – Gina Blay

Gina Blay, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Western Publications Limited, publishers of Daily Guide and other newspapers, has indicated that the sentencing of the Managing Editor of Daily Searchlight Newspaper, Ken Kuranchie to 10 days’ imprisonment should serve as a lesson to all Ghanaian journalists.

Speaking on Sunyani-based Space FM on Wednesday morning, Mrs. Blay advised Ghanaian journalists to be circumspect in their reportage, especially in the ongoing hearing of the election petition at the Supreme Court in order to avert the wrath of the venerable justices.

Mrs. Gina Blay also urged journalists not to descend into the gutters in the discharge of their duties in order to avoid sanctions.

The veteran journalist noted that the media in Ghana would draw lessons from happenings at the Supreme Court, indicating that Ken Kuranchie would also learn lessons and move on in the profession after the jail term.

Mrs. Blay however stated that the incarceration of the journalist would not threaten press freedom in Ghana since the right to freedom of expression must be exercised with responsibility.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday, July 2, 2013 sentenced Mr. Kuranchie, the Managing Editor of Accra-based Daily Searchlight Newspaper and Stephen Atubiga, a member of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communication Team to 10 and three days’ imprisonment respectively for criminal contempt. Atubiga is expected to come out today.