NMC AND NCA call on media to ensure free and responsible coverage on Election Day

The National Media Commission (NMC) and the National Communications Authority (NCA) on Tuesday met and discussed ways to improve broadcasting regulation in order to ensure free and responsible coverage of  the December 7 elections and the post election period.  A joint communiqué signed and issued by Mr George Sarpong, Executive Secretary of the NMC and Mr Paarock VanPercy, Director General of the NCA noted that the broadcast and other electronic media in Ghana had contributed immensely in developing the democratic culture of Ghana.     The communiqué indicated that the support of the media was crucial for the success of the 2012 election and that both the NMC and NCA had faith in the capacity of the media in Ghana to behave responsibly.     It further said that the NMC and NCA recognized that there was a fringe of media practice which bordered on unprofessional practice. The communiqué said: "It is the view of the two institutions that the peace, stability and cohesion of the nation depend in part on the behavior of the media as we go into the elections on December 7th.     It said: "Whiles the two institutions will take every reasonable step to support the media to perform their duties, we shall not hesitate to call to order any aberrations intended to undermine our collective peace and security and to throw our nation into chaos."     The communiqué also drew the attention of broadcasters and other electronic media to their responsibility and particularly to abide by the terms of their broadcast authorization, the various guidelines of the NMC and the code of conduct of the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA).     The two institutions have accordingly set up a Joint Committee to monitor the performance of the electronic media before, during and after the 2012 General Election and would duly apply the necessary sanctions against errant media houses, the communique stated.

GNA