Accra: Money doubling topped the list of offensive media content, receiving a total of 3,722 complaints from October 2023 to November 2024. Following this were fake lottery schemes with 2,190 complaints, fake loans with 1,283, occultism with 849, money rituals with 783, solicitations for funds for alleged sick individuals with 143, and inappropriate sexual content with 101 complaints during the same period.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Godfred Amartey, Coordinator of Monitoring Executives at the National Media Commission (NMC), disclosed this in Accra on Friday during the Commission’s regulatory meeting on offensive media content with radio and television stations. He noted that the report was based on public complaints and observations made through monitoring tools. Mr. Amartey noted that a total of 45 media stations were reported, based on both calls and observations. He emphasized that the rise of money doubling was evident, prompting the NMC to work diligently to reduce this practice significantly
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Mr. Alexander Bannerman, Deputy Executive Secretary of the NMC, stated that the meeting aimed to address the growing concern about offensive media content in the media landscape. He noted that as consumption of both digital and traditional media increased, consumers were increasingly exposed to harmful and inappropriate content. ‘This discussion goes beyond identifying offensive content… It is about the role each of us plays, whether as media professionals, regulators, or members of the public, in recognizing, reporting, and working together to foster a safer and more inclusive media space,’ he said.
Mr. Bannerman stated that offensive media content, whether in the form of hate speech, explicit material, or online harassment, could have profound consequences for individuals, communities, and society. ‘It is our shared responsibility, to maintain a responsible media environment that protects human lives and ensures public trust. Media houses must adhere to ethical guidelines, while regulatory bodies uphold
fair standards, and citizens actively engaging in content monitoring,’ he said.
Mr. George Sarpong, Executive Secretary of the NMC, announced that the Commission had filed a notice with the National Communications Authority (NCA) seeking to revoke the licenses of Onua Television, a subsidiary of Media General, and Oyerepa Television in Kumasi. He stated that both stations were involved in broadcasting various forms of obscene and dangerous content that were not in the public’s best interest. ‘Onua Television is engaged in doing something terrible and dangerous, while Oyerepa Television is involved in broadcasting obscene materials, and they both will be given the opportunity to respond to the complaints made against them.’
Mr. Sarpong emphasized that the Commission’s mandate was to ensure the publication of ‘good quality content’ that enriched Ghana’s democracy and protects freedom of speech, rather than imposing restrictions. He highlighted the importance of prioritizing societal interests over the excesse
s and violations of radio and television stations.
Mr. Kofi Yeboah, General Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association, noted the importance of distinguishing between revocation and suspension when applying sanctions, to avoid confusing one for the other. He called for equitable justice in matters affecting journalism and urged journalists and media owners to adhere strictly to the GJA’s code of ethics in their operations.