The Minister for Information, Kodjo Oppong Nkrumah has revealed that, government will not act on issues having to do with broadcasting content.
Speaking during a discussion, he indicated that in dealing with broadcasting content, the multi stakeholders committee mandated will do so in this regard.
“A memorandum of corporation will be appropriated that will spell out what the committee will do going forward and what the committee seeks to do.
“What will happen is that, it is not government that is going to take any action. I have seen some report which says that government is going to take action. Government is not the one going to be taking any action. The National Media Commission is going to be assisted by the committee.”
Oppong Nkrumah
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah also revealed that the multi stakeholder committee will also be flagging content regarded as unethical. He disclosed that, they will also be the determinants of which content is ethical and unethical in this regard.
“When you look at article 164 of the constitution, it talks about the fact that, the freedoms that we enjoy ought to be looked at within the ambit of four pillars. National security, public morality, public order and things that are against the reputation rights and freedoms of other persons.”
Oppong Nkrumah
The Information Minister also noted that the multi stakeholder committee will examine the reports together; to prevent giving the National Media Commission (NMC) the monopolistic power in carrying out such.
Committee to examine unethical content
He further said, what the committee will be doing with regards to frequency utilization will be to examine reports of unethical content. Also, he said they will make recommendations to regulatory bodies on what must be done. He added that this will be done on matters that require a warning and the committee will ensure that it is published.
“They will do so and ensure that everybody is aware that, this media house has been warned for this particular kind of content.”
Oppong Nkrumah
The punitive measures for non-compliant broadcasters, he revealed will be a suspension of frequency authorization to broadcast or a complete withdrawal. Also
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah touching on the enforcement of already existing regulations indicated that,;the problem with these laws have been its enforcement. He said some of the existing legislations can be applied.
However, he averred that some of the already existing laws are not sufficient;to deal with a comprehensive regulation;in the broadcast space.
“Because today we have about two different pieces of legislation, the NMC and NCA Acts. They have different functions and they have gaps in between. In as much as there are legislations which can be better enforced,;there are still gaps.”
Oppong Nkrumah
Touching on the broadcasting bill, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah indicated that the inherited draft has not been changed. He said the stakeholders are in the process of identifying emerging issues to enable them adopt a policy proposition.
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said they are looking at taking the bill to Parliament very soon. This, he said, will be after some consultative discussions with stakeholders. Therefore,
