The Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) has expressed deep concern over the National Media Commission’s (NMC) recent communication to the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the Advertisers Association of Ghana (AAG) urging the suspension or revocation of broadcasting authorizations for Onua TV and Onua FM.
In a statement released on Thursday, November 30, 2023,signed by Cecil Sunkwa-Mills, President of GIBA,the association stated that,it disapproves of the NMC’s approach in addressing the alleged ethical journalistic infraction by the two stations.
The association contends that there are alternative avenues, such as providing a fair hearing to the stations, that should be explored before pronouncing sanctions.
GIBA deems the NMC’s actions, including alerting the Advertisers Association of Ghana of a Notice of Suspension without due process, as unacceptable.
The association emphasizes that such measures, which could potentially deprive the stations of advertising revenue, are damaging.
Highlighting its commitment to the sanctity and sanity of the broadcast airwaves, GIBA asserts its dedication to collaboration with all institutions and stakeholders.
National Media Commission (NMC) has written a strongly worded letter to the National Communications Authority (NCA), requesting the suspension of the authorization of Onua TV and Onua FM over their alleged incessant attacks on personalities.
The NMC states that the suspension or revocation of the licenses of the two stations has become imperative because “the two stations have become the soundtrack to hateful rhetoric carefully orchestrated to incite ethnic division, provoke mutiny in the armed forces and prey upon the youth for insurrection against the state.”
According to the NMC, the two stations have “systematically sought to subvert critical national institutions including the Council of State and the Ghana Armed Forces in a manner that constitutes clear and present danger to the public interest.”
The NMC stated that the imposition of a fine would not be sufficient under the circumstances, hence the decision for the NCA to suspend their operations.
However, management of Onua TV and Onua FM under media General have dragged NMC to court arguing its decision is politically tainted, bias and unfair since it breached natural rules of fair hearing in justice delivery.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
