National conference on broadcasting pluralism opens today
A three-day national conference on ‘Broadcasting pluralism: Press freedom and democratic governance in Ghana’ is to be held in Accra from today, November 19, to Friday, November 21, 2014.
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The aim of the conference is to review developments in the country’s media during the past 20 years and look ahead to the next 20 years.
The conference, which will be attended by media experts, industry operators, regulators and the public, is an initiative of the Ghana Institute of Public Policy Institute (GIPPO).
Radio Eye
On Saturday, November 19, 1994, Radio Eye became the first private radio station in Ghana and 20 years on more than 300 FM radio stations and about 30 television stations have been licensed in Ghana.
A statement issued by GIPPO said Ghana’s media had become plural and offered platforms for many divergent views and tastes in content.
Unfortunately, it said, the many positive developments that radio had spawned had been tampered and even stymied by other unfortunate and sometimes regrettable actions which might have retarded with the progress of achievement and ultimate attainment of the vision and expectations that informed the push for broadcasting pluralism leading to a better informed population.
Broadcasting law
It said it was incredulous that 20 years on Ghana was still without a broadcasting law and related rules and regulations to guide the activities of the many players that had emerged in the industry.
It was of the view that the hope that pluralism and diversity would lead to a more informed and discerning electorate to assist in the selection of their political leaders and also hold decision makers accountable had been sabotaged by crass interference in the ownership/operators and the content of political conversation.
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Partisan bias
The statement said the role of the media as objective watchmen of the political class on behalf of the people had been badly “haemorrhaged” by partisan bias largely overtaking objectivity and facts in national discourse.
The President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, is expected to give the keynote address to open the dialogue.
Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby, the Chief Policy Analyst of GIPPO and Promoter of Radio Eye, will set the tone for the conference.
Speakers
Speakers include Professor Kwame Karikari, a former Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa; Mr James Agyenim-Boateng, a Presidential Staffer; Mr Abu Issah Monney, the News Editor of Peace FM, and Mr James Appiah, the Chief Executive of Atlantis Radio.
Others are Mr Kenneth Ashigbey, the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the Graphic Communications Group Limited; Mr Mawuko Zormelo, a former presenter/producer of Newsfile on Joy FM; Mr Samuel Attah Mensah, the Managing Director of Citi FM, and Fadda Dickson of Peace FM.
The rest are Mr Justice S.A. Brobbey, a retired Supreme Court justice; Mr Akoto-Ampaw, a lawyer and member of the National Media Commission (NMC); Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, a former Minister of Communications; Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere, the Chairman of the NMC; Paa Rock Van Percy, the Director-General of the National Communications Authority; Mr George Sarpong, the Executive Secretary of the NMC; Mr Gerald Ankrah, the Executive Secretary of GIBA; Mr Ransford Tetteh, a former GJA President and Editor of the Daily Graphic, among others.