Accra (Greater Accra) 01 April 2002 - The Ministry of Information and Presidential Affairs has directed media houses to submit all news reports emanating from or about the area affected by the state of emergency to the ministry for vetting.
A statement issued in Accra on Saturday and signed by the sector Minister, Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, made it clear that “unless you are reporting an official release from my office, you should clear any other news on Dagbon affairs with this ministry.” It reminded the media about the declaration of a state of emergency in the Dagbon areas of the Northern Region.
The statement said under the Emergency Powers Act of 1994, the President has the powers to censor any and all news emanating from or about the area affected by the state of emergency. It said, “I am with the authority of the President serving you notice that unless you are reporting an official release from my office, you should clear any other news items on Dagbon affairs with this ministry.”
The statement expressed regret about the fact that news items being broadcast by various radio stations are proving to be highly inflammatory. It said, “Some are totally untrue, many more are ill-founded and/or ill-motivated speculation and even in some cases where the reports are correct they are reports that are calculated to inflame the situation.”
In an eight-point reminder to media practitioners, the statement said people’s lives are in danger while the calm in the north is fragile and needs to be nurtured into peace. According to the statement, “News is news, it is not opinion, it is not conjecture and it is not rumour mongering,” adding that “as always in this type of situation, there are forces at work that have a vested interest in promoting one side against the other or even in promoting violence.
“This is a time to show maturity and a sense of responsibility. Titillating scoops, especially when they are wrong, but even when they are right but endanger the security of the area and the people, will not help,” it said.
The statement also drew attention to the special appeal made by the President to the media to avoid destructive speculation, adding that, “in Rwanda, the media were used in an attempt to inflame one group against the other.
Last week Wednesday, the President declared a state of emergency in the Dagbon area and also imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew. An official statement said the declaration followed the chieftaincy disturbances at Yendi. – Daily Graphic
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Accra (Greater Accra) 01 April 2002 - Gold prices hit a seven-week high after a surprise rally pushed it above the $300 an ounce barrier. On Wednesday, gold prices drifted just below the $300 mark until news of a further suicide bombing in Israel heightened fears of fresh waves of violence in the region and drove the price higher in US and Asian trade.
Spot gold started the European session at $303.35, its highest opening level since 8 February. Gold has risen nearly 12 per cent since the morning before the attacks on 11 September. The unexpected rally before the long Easter was also driven by expectations of Japanese buying on Friday when European markets would be closed.
In Japan, investing in the metal is seen as a potentially safer option than putting money in the country’s ailing banks or stock market. “At this stage, the downside appears limited given the fact that the Japanese market (a major buyer in recent months) will be open for business on Friday and few will want to go home short today (Thursday),” one trader said. – Daily Graphic.
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