Graphic holds discussions with MPs on media ethics, frequency allocation
The Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) last Saturday held a round-table discussion with members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Communication on media ethics and transparency in frequency allocation.
It formed part of the ongoing Graphic-STAR-Ghana project on the level of adherence to media ethics and transparency in frequency allocation.
The Members of Parliament (MPs) were led by the Chairman of the Committee, Mr Albert Abongo and the Vice-Chairman, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim.
A wide range of issues including professional ethics on the part of journalists and transparency in frequency allocation were discussed.
Self-regulation
In a presentation on media ethics, the Director of Newspapers of the GCGL, Mr Yaw Boadu Ayeboafoh, said self-regulation was the most functional means of controlling the media.
He said when the media was controlled from outside, it weakened its operations and activities and could undermine its ability to influence society in any positive way.
Contributing to the discussion, a lecturer at the University of Ghana School of Communications, Prof. Kwame Karikari, called for a review of the acts that established the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.
He said the review of the GBC Act would define the key functions and responsibilities of the organisation as a public institution.
For his part, the Managing Director of the GCGL, Mr Kenneth Ashigbey, said the Graphic-STAR-Ghana project would go a long way to shape professional standards of media practice in the country.
Background of project
In August, this year, a partnership agreement to assess the level of adherence to media ethics and frequency allocation was signed between the GCGL and STAR-Ghana.
The project, estimated to cost the Ghana Cedi equivalent of $100,000, took a critical look at the allocation of frequencies to various radio and television stations locally.
In view of this, a research management team was instituted to carry out research into the two areas of interest and submit their report to STAR-Ghana.
Already, two successful consultative meetings have been held in Accra and Kumasi and gathered productive inputs from the participants, which were noted in a 22-point communique.
Last week, the steering committee on the project held a meeting to discuss how to forge greater alliances with other stakeholders on the project.
That meeting, held in Accra, was attended by representatives of the Ghana News Agency, Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG) and the Private Newspapers Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG).
To stimulate more discussions on media ethics and transparency in frequency allocation, the committee hopes to broaden consultations with as many stakeholders as possible to obtain a comprehensive perspective of the public on the issues raised.
It will finally end with a national consultation forum for a broader discussion on the subjects of the research.
The consultations will also be aimed at harmonising the code of ethics of the various media groups into a single national document which will be applicable to all media organisations and groups.
