....Kwesi "Daily Insight" Pratt Dares Haruna "Accra Mail" Attah
Mr Kwesi Pratt, Jnr. The editor of the “Daily Insight” has requested the editor of the “Accra Daily Mail” to either publish the name of the senior journalist allegation involved in the $125,000 scandal or state publicly that he is not the journalist in question.
Mr Kwesi Pratt, Junior in a letter dated October 9, 2002 addressed to Mr Haruna Attah, stated among others that though the story did not mention his name on the senior journalist involved, nor did it state that the money allegedly paid to this journalist was a pay off for unprofessional or biased reportage services, there is a rumour doing the rounds, identifying him as the senior journalist involved.
Mr Kwesi Pratt mentioned specifically a caller on Radio Gold’s morning news paper review who mentioned him as the journalists in question. Claiming that he, the caller, knew and had spoken to the lady who allegedly received the money from him.
Mr Pratt, Jnr. denied ever receiving $125,000 from anybody, either as an investment or a gift. He said, the speed with which the story is spreading suggests a calculated plot to defame him for political reasons.
He entreated Mr Haruna Attah to exercise his best judgment in the matter, adding that nothing can be more painful than the destruction of an innocent person on the basis of wicked and unfounded rumour.
The Letter to haruna Atta
ALLEGATIONS AGAINST A SENIOR JOURNALISTI write with reference to your front page news report headed "WHOSE $125,000?" published in your Monday October 7, 2002 issue.
Your story did not mention my name as the senior journalist involved nor did it state that the money allegedly paid to this journalist was a payoff for unprofessional or biased reportage services. However your story has launched very unhealthy public speculation about media professionals in general and myself in particular. There is a rumour doing the rounds identifying me as the senior journalist involved. Indeed at least one person has phoned into Radio Gold's morning news review and stated categorically that I am the journalist in question. He also suggested that this information was widely known amongst media practitioners. He even claimed that he knew and had spoken to the lady who allegedly received the money from me!
Needless to say, I have never at any time received $125,000 from anybody either as an investment or as a gift. The speed with which the story is spreading suggests a calculated plot to defame me for political reasons.
To end the assault on my reputation, I request that you either publish the name of the senior journalist involved or state publicly that I am not the journalist your newspaper refers to.
It is my hope that you will exercise your best judgement in this matter, knowing that nothing can be more painful than the destruction of an innocent person on the basis of wicked and unfounded rumour.
Kwesi Pratt, Jnr.
