The National Media Commission (NMC) has expressed concern about the reported attack on UTV, a local TV station, by some persons in the evening of Saturday October 7, 2023.
The Commission says it is therefore, working with the Ghana Police Service to address the situation.
A statement dated October 8, 2023 and signed by the Executive Secretary, Mr George Sarpong said, “The Commission is concerned about the increasing use of violence as the preferred method for addressing grievances against the media and journalists. Perpetrators of such crimes must realise that violence does not produce better journalism.”
The NMC pointed out that, “the Constitution provides anyone who feels aggrieved by the work of the media the opportunity to seek redress through the complaint settlement mechanism of the National Media Commission.
As we approach the electioneering process for Ghana 2024, it is important for political actors and all Ghanaians to learn that the Ghana we envisage would not be built on the path of violent attacks on journalists.”
The Commission assured that in the next couple of weeks, it will be rolling out a comprehensive programme to reactivate the Coordinated Mechanism for the Safety of Journalists to ensure the media continue to operate without fear.
“In the meantime, we assure the public of our cooperation with the Ghana Police Service to get to the bottom of this matter,” the NMC assured.
Late Saturday evening, the Ghana Police Service arrested 16 persons who allegedly attacked and disrupted operations on the premises of UTV.
According to the Police, the arrest was necessitated by a complaint from the Despite Media Group and Ministry of Information that the suspects had invaded the studios of UTV.
“They are currently at the Police Station assisting investigations,” the Police noted in a statement posted on its social media handles.
This incident occurred on Saturday, October 7, 2023, during the live broadcast of the United Showbiz programme.
Soon after show started, it was disrupted.
Videos posted online later revealed that a group claiming to be affiliated with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) forcibly stormed the studio during the live broadcast.
They wanted an apology from one of the panellists, A-Plus. They contended that the former sympathizer of the party now turned critic, had shown disrespect to the party, President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Bawumia.
After the incident, the hostess of the show MzGee, apologised for the disruption.