The National Media Commission (NMC) has voiced its concerns about the reported attacks on Accra-bases UTV, saying violence must not be used to settle grievances.
NMC in a statement issued by its Executive Secretary George Sarpong said the commission is working with the Ghana Police Service to address the situation.
“The Commission is concerned about the increasing use of violence as the preferred method for addressing grievances against the media and journalists.
“Perpetrators of such crimes must realise that violence does not produce better journalism.
“This is why the Constitution provides anyone who feels aggrieved by the work of the media the opportunity to seek redress through the complaint settlement mechanism of the National Media Commission.
“As we approach the electioneering process for Ghana 2024, it is important for political actors and all Ghanaians to learn that the Ghana we envisage would not be built on the path of violent attacks on journalists,” the statement added.
The NMC indicated that in the next couple of weeks, it will be rolling out a comprehensive programme to reactivate with our key stakeholders the Coordinated Mechanism for the Safety of Journalists to ensure the media continue to operate without fear.
“In the meantime, we assure the public of our cooperation with the Ghana Police Service to get to the bottom of this matter,” the statement concluded.
Attackers arrested
Meanwhile, the police have arrested at least 16 individuals identifying with the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) for invading the studios of UTV, belonging to the Despite Media Group, in search of political activist A Plus.
Numbering over 20, the irate youth delayed the airing of the popular show – United Showbiz – saying A Plus, real name Kwame Obeng Asare, who is a regular pundit on the show, has shown gross disrespect to the NPP by tearing apart on set a letter from the party raising concerns about the show.
According to the NPP, the programme has become political.
A Plus, in reaction, said the letter was against the independence of the media and went on to rip his copy of the letter saying, “This letter is revolting because we have received calls from people threatening to collapse UTV United Showbiz.”
The leader of the group that invaded the studio on Saturday evening, said they want the popular highlife singer, A Plus, to apologise for his actions on air.
The police intervened and picked up 16 of the attackers.
