A Lecturer at the Ghana Institute of Journalism, ZakariaTanko Musah has contended that the closure of media houses for supposed aberration of the law is not the best way to go because such actions may be interpreted as indirect interference in the freedom of the media.
He said no matter the errors of the media, regulatory bodies must adopt a more conciliatory approach to deal with the situation for a favorable rating on the media freedom index.
Mr. Tanko was contributing to a panel discussion on GBC’s current affairs programme “FOCUS” which looked at “Politics and Media Freedom” by the two major political parties.
On funding GBC, Mr Tanko admonished management of the Corporation to diversify its sources of funding to be financially independent, instead of relying on the orthodox method of generating money.
He however commended the NDC for having a place for GBC in its 2020 People’s Manifesto.
Deputy Minister of Information, Pius Hadzide, said the NPP prioritises the independence of the media and the right to information in general. This he noted is evidenced in the passage of the Right to Information Law and mechanisms put in place by government to make the law work.
MP for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor said the next NDC government will change what he calls the climate of fear and intimidation that has engulfed the media landscape under the NPP regime.
He said if the party is voted into power, it will provide sufficient financial support to the GBC to enable it to play its role efficiently as the state broadcaster.
