Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has warned journalists against trying cases in the media, saying prejudicial reporting could undermine fair trials and the rule of law.
Speaking in Accra on Saturday, November 7, at the 30th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie said reporting on active legal proceedings must reflect the constitutional presumption of innocence.
“A person accused of an offence remains innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction,” he said.
The Chief Justice urged journalists not to reach conclusions in the court of public opinion before judges had considered the evidence and delivered their decisions.
He acknowledged the media’s constitutional responsibility to scrutinise public institutions and hold them accountable. However, he said that responsibility did not extend to placing pressure on judges who were hearing cases.
“Criticism of judicial decisions is legitimate. Attempts to intimidate the courts or substitute public opinion for judicial determination are not,” he told the gathering.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie referred to Article 125 of the 1992 Constitution, which provides that judicial authority comes from the people and is exercised independently on their behalf.
He said an independent Judicial Service existed to protect ordinary citizens, rather than judges themselves.
“The media must remain free to scrutinise public institutions, examine the administration of justice and bring legitimate concerns to public attention, while the judiciary must remain open to legitimate scrutiny without compromising its independence,” he added.
Call for journalist protection
The Chief Justice also condemned attacks, threats and harassment directed at media workers. His comments echoed GJA figures showing that more than 50 attacks on journalists had been recorded since 2022.
“The protection of journalists is not simply a matter of professional welfare. It is a necessary condition for the protection of the people’s rights to know,” he said.
He called on journalists to maintain accuracy and fairness, particularly in the face of digital misinformation and the abuse of artificial intelligence.
The ceremony was chaired by the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, and held under the theme: “Celebrating Excellence, Advancing Media Freedom and Combating Hate Speech in the Digital Age”.
Speaker Alban Bagbin and President John Dramani Mahama attended the event. President Mahama pledged GH¢10 million to the Media Development Fund.
Courts to reopen nationwide
The Chief Justice’s comments came before the nationwide reopening of the courts on Monday, when work was due to resume on the backlog of cases.
The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) had suspended the strike that had disrupted court operations.
