NMC condemns Ghanaian Times publication
The National Media Commission (NMC) has condemned a publication of a picture of a dead body in the Tuesday, August 12, 2014 edition of the Ghanaian Times newspaper.
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The picture was said to be the remains of Peter Tamakloe, alleged to have been murdered by a fetish priest and purported to have been taken at the Keta Mortuary.
“This publication is not only in bad taste but violates the right to dignity of the deceased,” a statement signed by the Chairman of the NMC, Mr Kabral Blay-Amihere said.
Referring to a similar publication on May 19, 2014, the statement said the NMC condemned unreservedly the publication in the Ghanaian Times, adding that it was uncalled for and needed not to be condoned.
Print Media Guidelines
“The National Media Commission wishes to remind the media about Article 7.2 of the NMC’s Print Media Guidelines on grief which states that ‘in cases involving bereavement, personal grief or shock, the press must show compassion. Publication must be handled sensitively at such times,” the statement said.
It stated that there was no public interest justification for the publication of the picture, noting that it contravened Article 12 of the Ghana Journalists’ Association Code of Ethics.
The publication, the statement further added, violated Article 16 which states that “In cases of personal grief, distress, journalists should exercise tact and diplomacy in seeking information and publishing.”
The NMC cautioned the media to respect the privacy of bereaved families and the right to dignity of the deceased.
