Yaw Boadu Ayeboafo, the Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), has expressed disapproval of the recent Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) call to media houses to blacklist two politicians accused of supporting attacks on journalists. The GJA had advocated for a blackout on MP for Awutu Senya East, Mavis Hawa Koomson, and MP for Yendi, Farouk Aliu Mahama, both accused of assaulting journalists during the NPP’s parliamentary primaries.

Ayeboafo criticized the GJA’s approach, describing it as “dysfunctional and unproductive.” He condemned attacks on journalists but suggested that victims pursue legal avenues to address such acts of impunity instead of resorting to a general blacklisting of politicians.

He explained, “While the approach is very popular, it is dysfunctional. We cannot fight impunity with impunity.” Ayeboafo recalled a similar incident years ago when the Ashanti Regional Chapter of the GJA issued a blacklisting order against the Vice Chancellor of KNUST, expressing his continued belief that unilateral resolutions for blackouts or boycotts are not the most productive reactions.

In response, GJA President Albert Dwumfour expressed disappointment in Ayeboafo’s comments, describing them as unfortunate. He defended the GJA’s decision, emphasizing that they exhausted all relevant processes before issuing the directive. Dwumfour emphasized that in extraordinary situations, extraordinary decisions are necessary and criticized Ayeboafo for not seeking clarification from the GJA before making his remarks.

The controversy follows recent physical assaults on journalists, with the GJA advocating for a media blackout against politicians involved in such attacks.