The National Media Commission (NMC) recently wrote to the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the Advertisers Association of Ghana (AAG) requesting that the broadcasting authorizations of Onua TV and Onua FM be suspended or revoked. The Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) has expressed its disapproval of this communication.
Concerned over Onua FM/TV’s lack of a fair hearing, GIBA denounced the NMC for imposing punishment without following the proper procedures.
The Association considers steps such as notifying the Advertisers Association of Ghana about a Notice of Suspension to be detrimental and inappropriate and feels that there are other ways to handle purported ethical journalistic transgressions.
“GIBA objects to the NMC’s actions in addressing the matter of the two stations’ alleged ethical journalism infractions because the Association thinks there are more options to pursue in resolving this issue, like giving the stations a fair hearing instead of imposing sanctions that would even require notifying the Advertisers Association of Ghana of a Notice of Suspension without due process.”
“GIBA thinks it is wrong for such actions to be taken, as they effectively deprive the stations of their advertising revenue. It is detrimental that the NMC wrote to the AAG in an attempt to sever the stations’ life support.