Following his victory in the Essex County Superior Court in New Jersey, investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has issued a strong warning to both politicians and the media.
The court found former Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong liable for defamation, awarding Anas $18 million in damages.
Anas described the decision as a significant triumph against falsehoods and character assassination, emphasizing its importance in fostering a society where truth prevails. He underlined that the verdict reaffirms the commitment to building a democracy that serves the people of Ghana.
The defamation case arose after Agyapong’s public statements following the release of the BBC’s Betraying the Game documentary in 2018. Anas pointed out that the U.S. legal system sets a high bar for proving defamation, requiring clear evidence of malice. The jury’s unanimous decision, Anas noted, reinforced that Agyapong acted with malicious intent in making his claims.
Anas contrasted the U.S. ruling with his experience in Ghana, where a similar defamation case in 2018 resulted in a vastly different outcome.
Despite Agyapong admitting he lacked evidence to support his accusations, the Ghanaian court ruled against Anas, with Justice Eric Baah unjustly portraying him as a criminal.
Anas referenced Supreme Court Justice Kulendi’s condemnation of this ruling, calling it an “abuse of judicial authority” and highlighting the need for urgent judicial reforms in Ghana.
The fairness and accountability demonstrated by the U.S. court stood in stark contrast to the Ghanaian system, Anas argued. He noted that even when presenting the same evidence and citing the Ghanaian judgment, Agyapong’s defense collapsed under the weight of truth in New Jersey.
Anas also took the opportunity to address politicians, particularly in Ghana, warning them against undermining the media. He emphasized the crucial role the press plays in holding power to account and stated that any attempts to weaken the media would be met with strong resistance.
He expressed his gratitude to his legal team and supporters, reaffirming his dedication to the fight against corruption. Anas’s victory has reignited important discussions about press freedom, judicial integrity, and the influence of politics in shaping public discourse.
