Commentary, General News, Opinion

News Commentary On Media Responsibility In Light Of Onua TV’s Incitement And It’s Tragic Conseqences In Obuasi.

By Jones Anlimah, A Journalist

The tragic events surrounding the shooting incident at AngloGold Ashanti, which resulted in the loss of about 7 lives, have brought into sharp focus the role and responsibility of Ghana’s media. The reported incitement by Captain Smart, a presenter on Onua TV, raises critical questions about media ethics on responsible journalism, accountability and the role of Media General as a media organisation.

Having contributed to shape public discourse for years, Media General now faces a moral test. Can it credibly discuss this incident, while ignoring its own involvement in the chain of events? The power of the media to shape societies is undeniable. However, history reminds us of the catastrophic consequences of irresponsible media conduct, as in the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, which was fuelled partly by Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM), a station, that broadcast hate speech and incited violence. While Ghana enjoys a robust democratic framework and a relatively free press, the potential for media irresponsibility to destabilize the peace cannot be underestimated.

The AngloGold Ashanti incident demonstrates how media platforms can inadvertently or deliberately fan flames of conflict when ethical boundaries are ignored. The Ghana Journalists Association’s Code of Ethics is explicit about the responsibilities of media practitioners. Clause 1 of the Code enjoins a journalists to uphold the truth and ensure accuracy and fairness in all reports. Clause 10 further warns against publications or broadcasts that promote hate speech, discrimination or incitement to violence. In this instance, Onua TV’s platform may have failed in these basic tenets of professional journalism.

Equally important is the mandate of the National Media Commission, tasked with ensuring good journalistic standards and protecting media freedom in Ghana. According to its constitutional mandate, the National Media Commission is empowered to regulate content and address violations of ethical principles. The AngloGold Ashanti tragedy underscores the urgent need for the NMC to exercise its regulatory authority more effectively to prevent such incidents. The leadership of Media General must confront its share of the responsibility in this unfortunate incident. Providing a platform for inflammatory rhetoric undermines public trust and destabilizes social order. To reclaim moral authority, Media General must publicly acknowledge its failings, institute internal reforms and demonstrate a commitment to ethical journalism.

An effective response should include disciplinary action against those directly responsible, as well as a transparent review of editorial guidelines to ensure content aligns with the GJA Code of Ethics. The AngloGold Ashanti tragedy should be a wake-up call for Ghana’s media and regulatory institutions. A comprehensive response is needed to restore sanity in the media landscape. Media organizations must prioritize ethical training for their staff, rooted in the GJA Code of Ethics, to emphasize the consequences of irresponsible journalistic work.

The NMC must take a more proactive stance in monitoring media content and enforcing standards. Swift punitive measures for breaches of ethics are essential to deter future violations. Media platforms must engage in self-regulation and allow for public scrutiny. Acknowledging mistakes as Media Generale, is an important step toward rebuilding trust. Parliament may have to consider enhancing the legal framework for the NMC to ensure it has the capacity to respond, bark and bite, to the rapidly evolving media landscape. The loss of about 7 lives in the AngloGold Ashanti incident is a tragedy that must never be repeated.

Media practitioners must remember, that their platforms wield great influence and power and that, the public trust they enjoy is a privilege, not a right. By adhering to ethical principles and regulatory oversight, Ghana’s media can remain a pillar of democracy, rather than a threat to its stability. A word of apology and show of remorse from Media General in this case will help. Ghanaians deserves nothing less, than media that informs and uplifts, rather than divide and incite.