The Media Centre for Youth Development (Media-Youth) on Thursday called on Ghanaians to oppose any moves that threaten the freedom of the media.

Reacting to statements attributed to the acting Chief Justice, Mr Justice E. K. Wiredu, opposing the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law, Media-Youth said while respecting the opinion of the acting Chief Justice, "we are surprised at his stand in view of his position as the embodiment of the judiciary".

Addressing the annual conference of the Ghana Bar Association at Sunyani last Monday, Justice Wiredu was quoted as expressing his displeasure at the repeal of the law, saying it had given journalists and other persons the freedom to abuse the rights of others.

Media Youth said in a statement that the repeal was as a result of the condemnation of the law by various human rights activists on the grounds that it was inconsistent with the spirit and letter of the 1992 constitution.

"Many journalists and media practitioners were jailed, fined and subjected to various forms of punishment under the law in the course of discharging their constitutional duties.

''We admit that some of the media practitioners acted unprofessionally or erred in carrying out their duties. It must be noted, however, that journalists like lawyers, engineers, accountants, surveyors and judges are not infallible", the statement said.

Media Youth urged journalists to abide by their code of ethics and the public to help promote a viable media rather than gag it.