The Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho has criticized the media for what he describes as increasing recklessness and unprofessionalism in their reportage since the repeal of the criminal libel law.
“After the repeal of criminal libel laws in this country it appears the spirit of the amended legislation has been lost. The repeal of the criminal libel law has made citizens, sections of the media and journalists reckless and unprofessional in their work.”
Mr. Doe Adjaho, who was speaking at an event in Ho in the Volta Region, added that some sections of the media were guilty of sensationalism, disregarding the harm they cause to the reputation of other people.
[contextly_sidebar id=”Tl16zNfbF2PSbKJIsCrjHgTLrrmmSia5″]“Some of them [media] do not care about the damage they cause the good name and reputation of other people. The posture and demeanour of these sections of the media is polarising the country day in and day out.”
Citing Rwanda as a case in point, the Speaker, though reiterating his belief in the importance of the media to the country, called on the media to avoid reporting on and publicising certain issues which had the potential to provoke chaos.
“As the fourth estate of the realm, media has a responsibility to be temperate in their reportage of political acts, omissions and speeches and events. If a person or a political actor makes an irresponsible or potentially explosive statement, should the media report or publish it? Is it not the duty of the media to weigh the potential harmful effect of that statement and avoid reporting and publishing what is toxic to national health? Should that section of the media not consider the unfortunate of other sister countries on the continent such as Rwanda?
Mr. Doe Adjaho also called for a review of the of the current National Media Commission laws which, according to him, are not strong enough to control the utterances of the media.
“It is time to re examine the laws establishing the National Media Commission (NMC) and mandating it to among others serve as an resolution and constructive forum for our differences. This law should be amended and given the needed teeth to bite. Otherwise reckless reportage will destroy our peaceful nation,” he advised.
His comments come on the back of the backlash against the Member of Parliament (MP) for Daboya/Mankarigu in the Northern Region, Nelson Abudu Baani, who, it was reported in the media, had advocated for the punishment of adulterous women by stoning or hanging. in Parliament on Thursday.
He made the remarks at a ceremony held in Ho on Saturday to celebrate some hardworking and dedicated sons and daughters of the Volta region that have played enormous roles towards the development of the region. The award scheme christened ‘‘Volta heroes award’’ was not limited to only children from the region but also individuals that have contributed their quota to the development of the region.
By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana