The National Media Commission (NMC) has issued a caution to some fifteen (15) local television stations to desist from airing contents deemed unethical and not fit for broadcast. Failure to comply, the commission has warned, will follow up with severe consequences for such actions.
The stations include, Asomafo TV, Adwenpa TV, Eagle TV, Best TV, Energy TV, Diamond TV, X TV, Asomdwie TV, Funny TV, Advice TV, Big TV, Passion TV, Nkabom TV, Seekers TV, and Elephant TV.
The Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission, Mr. George Sarpong in a statement said, “As part of our collaboration to improve the quality of broadcasting in Ghana, the National Media Commission and the National Communications Authority (NCA) launched a joint project on October 31, 2023, to identify and address deficits in broadcast content.”
He noted the affected electronic media platforms were reported by the public for showing content considered unacceptable by the standards of media ethics, Ghanaian culture, traditions, and norms.
The half-month exercise shows the public had concerns about 318 incidents on television made up 224 money doubling incidents; 83 money rituals; 24 fake lotteries; 18 occultic practices 13 incidents of pornography. The rest of the complaints related to fake loan schemes and people seeking to use fraudulent means to extract money from others.
Mr. Sarpong said using a community standards approach; the project democratizes the involvement of citizens by highlighting their voice in regulatory interventions.
“Through the toll-free number 0800-419-666, citizens are empowered to call into a monitoring Centre to make their voices heard on the performance of broadcasting stations especially in relation to content they consider unacceptable by the standards of media ethics, Ghanaian culture, traditions and norms” he added.
The Executive Secretary used the opportunity to commend the NCA, Ghana Journalists Association, Ghana Independent Broadcasters’ Association and the Media Foundation for West Africa for their support and unwavering cooperation during the exercise.
“Finally, we commend the active citizens who demonstrated their commitment to quality broadcasting by taking time to make the recorded complaints. We encourage all citizens to join hands in uplifting the quality of broadcasting in Ghana.”
Below are the complaints against the aforementioned stations:
- Asomafo TV (19)
- Adwenpa TV (19)
- Eagle TV (18)
- Best TV (16)
- Energy TV (16)
- Diamond TV (15)
- X TV (15)
- Asomdwie TV (14)
- Funny TV (14)
- Advice TV (14)
- Big TV (11)
- Passion TV (11)
- Nkabom TV (11)
- Seekers TV (10)
- Elephant TV (10)
