The National Media Commission (NMC), the National Communication Authority (NCA) and other stakeholders yesterday signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) to regulate content in the broadcasting space, pending the passage of broadcasting bill.
The MoC is to enable NMC and NCA to collaborate to monitor programmes in the media space particularly, television and radio to ensure that the media space is sanitised.
The Minister for Information and Member of Parliament (MP) for the Ofoase -Ayirebi constituency, Honourable Kojo Oppong Nkrumah explained that although the NMC has regulatory powers it lacked the power to sanction defaulters whereas the NCA has punitive powers but it also did not have the power to regulate content.
“The gap still exists where you see content on our broadcast network and the NMC is unable to do more than discuss, engage and recommend. The sad thing is that in spite of our initial meetings and conversation, the infractions still continue on our broadcast platforms, but the NCA is unable to act because the collaboration has not taken place yet.”, the Minister bemoaned.
The Minister advised that the various institutions got to work immediately to deal with the irregularities in the broadcasting space, noting that a framework should be put in place to ensure that all stakeholders collaborated to deal with specific emerging issues that may be coming up.
Hon. Oppong Nkrumah charged the NMC to broaden its scope of channel for receiving complaints by leveraging on technology and new media instead of relying solely on written letters.
The Chairperson of the NMC, Mr. Yaw Boadu Ayeboafoh mentioned that it was important that each of the institutions understood the purpose of signing the MoC so as to build together, cooperate and not undermine the rule of law.
For his part, the Director-General of NCA, Mr. Joe Anokye lauded the idea of collaborating with the NMC to regulate and monitor media content.
“There is a line of benefit in this MoC and I can state here that it provides a mechanism for the state to address the challenges in the broadcast media”, He said.
The MoC was signed by Ministry of Information, NMC, NCA, Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Foundation for West Africa, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), National Cyber Security Council, Gaming Commission of Ghana, National Security Secretariat, Judiciary of Ghana, National Film Authority among others.
Source: MOI (PR Unit)
