Concerns have been raised about Woezor TV’s level of access to broadcasting events from the presidency.
Critics question whether the station, owned by Deputy Chief of Staff in Charge of Operations at the Office of the President, Stan Xoese Dogbe, is receiving preferential treatment over other media houses, including the state-owned Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GTV).
Meanwhile, Stan Dogbe had earlier explained in a Facebook post that all media houses, including GTV, JoyNews, and TV3, still have the right to access live feeds from the Office of the President.
Accordingly, investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has weighed in on the matter, highlighting ongoing discussions about Woezor TV’s role in covering events at the presidency.
“If GTV, JoyNews, and others have unfettered access just like Woezor TV, then there’s nothing to worry about. If they choose to record and play national events or events at the presidency, and Woezor decides to stream live, there’s no problem.
“It would be worrisome if others were denied access to live broadcasts of presidential events and Woezor is given access because of its owner’s influence.”
Manasseh Azure Awuni
Beyond Woezor TV’s access to live feeds, another key issue has been the branding of the president’s official social media broadcasts.
Some have raised concerns that the president’s social media pages and YouTube channel now display Woezor TV’s logo during live streams.
Awuni emphasized the need to scrutinize this development, stating that, in the past, the presidency’s videos were typically branded with the Jubilee House logo rather than that of any private media outlet.
This deviation from tradition, he believes, warrants further examination.
“The Office of the President has a communication bureau with staffers. They should stream their own events and meetings from the presidency.
“If it is a national event, such as Independence Day or an inauguration, and they don’t have the resources or capacity to undertake the complex production, the presidency’s social media handles should stream from the official live feed for the state function. In this case, the state-owned GTV has been providing those services.”
Manasseh Azure Awuni
Awuni further emphasized that Woezor TV, like any other media house, has the right to stream live events from the presidency as long as access is granted fairly to all broadcasters.
However, he pointed out that the presence of Woezor TV’s logo on the president’s official social media platforms raises concerns about favoritism.
This, he noted, creates the perception that the television station is being officially endorsed by the presidency, giving it an unfair competitive advantage over other media outlets that do not receive the same visibility.
Potential Conflict of Interest?
Questions have also been raised regarding a potential conflict of interest, given that Stan Dogbe, a key government official, owns Woezor TV.
Critics argue that his position allows him to influence which media outlets receive live broadcasting privileges for presidential events, raising ethical concerns.
Awuni stressed that the Office of the President must maintain neutrality and should not be perceived as favoring one media platform over others, as this could create an imbalance in media access.
He cautioned that giving a private television station an apparent advantage could lead to accusations of bias and undermine public trust in the presidency’s communication processes.
Additionally, he advised Stan Xoese Dogbe to exercise caution and avoid situations that could spark unnecessary controversy.
He noted that Dogbe has previously faced allegations of overstepping his mandate, and another similar issue could divert attention from his official responsibilities and overshadow his contributions to the government.
“For Stan Dogbe, it is in his interest to avoid such controversies. In Mahama’s first term, some staff of the Information Service Department held a press conference and accused him of taking their job following the 2016 Independence Day brochure saga. He has a mandate to fulfill and should not allow such controversies to overshadow his role.”
Manasseh Azure Awuni
Despite the ongoing debate surrounding Woezor TV’s role in broadcasting presidential events, Awuni acknowledged Stan Xoese Dogbe’s dedication and strong work ethic.
He emphasized that even Dogbe’s critics recognize his unwavering commitment to his duties and his significant contributions to the administration.
However, Awuni advised that Dogbe must take proactive steps to prevent unnecessary controversies that could overshadow his hard work.
He stressed that maintaining transparency and avoiding potential conflicts of interest would help preserve both his credibility and the integrity of his role within the government.
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