Media General has lodged an official complaint with the Ghana Police Service against Alhaji Osman Masawudu, the Third National Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), following what it described as a clear threat to the safety of its journalists.
In a statement issued on Friday, the media organisation said Mr. Masawudu “deliberately pushed down TV3’s microphone” during an NPP press conference in the full view of journalists and party officials. The act was captured on video and, according to Media General, was unprovoked.
“Mr. Masawudu himself acknowledged his actions,” the company noted.
The situation escalated further when the NPP official, in an interview with Kumasi-based ASHH FM, reportedly issued a warning that Media General journalists would be assaulted if they attended any future NPP events.
“These utterances amount to a direct threat and an affront to press freedom,” Media General stated, calling the incident an attack on both the media institution and the constitutional rights of all journalists in Ghana.
Media General said it filed the police report to “ensure the safety of our journalists and media personnel in the discharge of their lawful duties,” and urged authorities to take swift action.
📌 We at Media General are committed to truth and the safety of our journalists. Following threats of assault by Alhaji Osman Masawudu, we’ve filed an official complaint.
We call on all stakeholders to stand with us in defense of media freedom and the safety of journalists in… pic.twitter.com/KvaY8BrtPK
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) April 18, 2025
Reaffirming its dedication to independent journalism, the company stressed it would not be intimidated or silenced.
“We remain committed to the pursuit of truth and the public’s right to information,” the statement read.
The company called on civil society organisations, the Ghana Journalists Association, and all media stakeholders to speak out and defend the freedom and safety of journalists across the country.
