The National Media Commission (NMC) has therefore directed the media house to desist from compelling people to appear on their social issues programme, Oyerepa Afutuo, which is aired on radio and television.
The directive followed a complaint lodged by the head of the Denkyira Agona Kwadwom Abusua of Jukwa Family in the Central Region, Daniel Gyapanin, against Oyerepa FM/TV.
The media house had invited Daniel Gyapanin to appear on their programme, Oyerapa Afutuo to respond to a complaint but Daniel declined.
The Oyerepa Afutuo discusses concerns in Kumasi and its environs where “faulted” individuals are dragged to the programme to face the judgement of its host popularly known as “Aunty Naa” and her supporting judges.
However, a specific episode on April 25, 2023, sparked controversy when guests, hosts, and panel members made unguided and derogatory comments about the Denkyira Agona Kwadwom Abusua of Jukwa, Daniel Gyapanin regarding a case involving a missing dead body at the mortuary.
This situation then drew Daniel Gyapanin to lodge a complaint at the NMC, a statement released the NMC said.
Settlement
In a settlement committee meeting, the NMC found that the Oyerepa erred when participants in a programme assumed the role of judges to pronounce on a family matter.
The NMC however directed that consent must be obtained from all parties involved in an issue before a programme on Oyerepa is broadcast, and if a party is unwilling to participate, the programme should be halted immediately.
While acknowledging the programme’s entertainment value and its role in issue resolution, the NMC underscored the importance of giving fair hearing to all parties involved.
It emphasized that parties are not legally bound to submit to the programme’s host, and the station should avoid resorting to intimidation, threats, or disregarding due process when parties decline participation.
“Therefore, where any party declines to participate in the programme, the station should not resort to intimidation, threats and disregard for the rule of law and due process in passing comments or drawing conclusions and judgement”, the statement read.
The directive serves as a reminder for media outlets to adhere to basic rules and standards in the discharge of their duties, ensuring ethical and respectful treatment of all subjects discussed on their platforms.
NMC DETERMINES COMPLAINT BY DANIEL GYAPANIN, HEAD OF FAMILY, DENKYIRA AGONA KWADWOM ABUSUA OF JUKWA AGAINST OYEREPA TV/FM
The National Media Commission has directed that Oyerepa TV/FM Stations has no authority to compel any person to appear on any of their programmes whether live or recorded.
At a settlement committee meeting on a complaint lodged by Daniel Gyapanin, head of the Denkyira Agona Kwadwom Abusua of Jukwa Family in the Central Region against Oyerepa FM/TV, the Commission noted that the station erred when discussants on the programme turned themselves into panel of Judges to pronounce on a family matter.
The Commission further said that the radio/Television stations must seek the consent of all parties involved in an issue before a programme can be broadcast, stressing that if a party is not willing and therefore absent the programme should be stopped.
The Commission emphasized that is incumbent on every director of programme to immediately stop the programme, if the other party does not want to make comments or be part of the discussion.
At a settlement meeting on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, it emerged that Oyerepa FM has a social issues programme which discusses very pertinent concerns of people in Kumasi and its environs. It was during one of the discussions on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 that the guest, host and panel members made unguided, uncultured and derogatory comments against the Denkyira Agona Kwadwom Abusua of Jukwa in a case involving a missing dead body at the mortuary.
The Commission noted that by giving fair hearing to all parties over issues in a programme, the radio/TV Stations will be following the basic rules and standards in the discharge of their duties.
The Commission noted that although the programme has helped in resolving a number of issues there is no law binding parties to submit to the host of the programme.
It was further noted beyond the entertainment value of the programme, it could be useful for one as long as the parties willingly yield in responding to invitations. Therefore, where any party declines to participate in the programme, the station should not resort to intimidation, threats and disregard for the rule of law and due process in passing comments or drawing conclusions and judgement.
