Dear Samson Anyenini
You and the entire production have a right to determine what is discussed on your show. And as rightfully called, you reserve the right to do “MyTake” and share your opinion on critical issues as well.
As your listeners, we have similar rights as well. Except you can decide to answer us or otherwise. In fact no one can force you and your production team to discuss a particular issue. But be rest assured that we will definitely query your decisions and critically analyze them just as Newsfile demands.
That’s something you can’t deny us. In fact the history of Newsfile lends us that right.
Not long ago, you discussed the energy judgement debt where Government lost about $170 million. You paraded experts on energy to discuss the issue. That was not the first time a judgment debt case was discussed on Newsfile. It is an undisputable fact that Newsfile is a platform that takes keen interest in issues that are related to judgment debt.
Woyome was an example. Isofoton and Suba cases were discussed. The recent energy judgement debt case that Ghana lost was another that was discussed on Newsfile.
It is therefore not out of place for your viewers to question you and your production on your decision not to discuss Sibton.
As ardent viewers, we reserve the right to know why an important judgment debt case which could have cost the country over $400 million was not discussed on your platform. Aside nearly losing $400 million, the country nearly lost $1 billion in the procurement process as well.
We reserve that right because Newsfile has a history of discussing judgment debt cases.
We reserve that right because Newsfile has a history of discussing issues that are related to procurement and its excesses.
We reserve that right because Newsfile has a history of discussing value for money cases. In fact, we know you to have taken positions on value for money issues and has argued that you do not support procurements that do not provide value for money for Ghana.
The history of Newsfile on judgment debt cases is undeniably fresh on our minds. And we will use that to judge you and your production team on current and future judgment debt cases.
So please you need to tell us why you didn’t discuss Sibton and whether or not you will ever discuss judgment debt cases again. Your refusal to do so will seriously cast doubts about the objectivity or otherwise of the entire production team when it comes to judgement debt cases.
We stand waiting for your reasons.
Thank you.
Kofi Tonto