NMC, others develop guidelines for religious broadcasts
To prevent the use of the airwaves to fan religious extremism, the National Media Commission (NMC) and other stakeholders have begun the development of guidelines for religious broadcasts in the country.
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The commission, together with the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), National Communications Authority (NCA) and heads of religious bodies have, therefore, scheduled a seminar on religious broadcasting for December 15, 2015 to come up with the final guidelines for religious broadcasts in the country.
Speaking on the need for guidelines on religious broadcasts at a media launch of the seminar Wednesday, the Chairman of the NMC, Mr Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng, said although there was religious tolerance in Ghana and all religious faiths had co-existed peacefully, that peace was not to be taken for granted.
“We dare not take this peace for granted. We have to take measures to safeguard it for now and for future generations. As we are aware, what people say has a bigger impact than what they do, which is why we have to take religious broadcasting as perhaps the best starting point in trying to avoid any potential negative reactions to religious extremism and other forms of unwanted activities under the guise of religious practice in the country,” he said.
Mr Gyan-Apenteng added that concerns had been expressed by many well-meaning Ghanaians about remarks made by many preachers on radio and television that could lead to extremist actions in the country.
The seminar will provide the opportunity to discuss the existing draft guidelines, leading to the adoption of a final mechanism for regulating the broadcast of religious material in Ghana.
Importance of guidelines
In his welcome address, the Co-Chair of the Steering Committee on Religious Broadcasts and a member of the NMC, Apostle Ofori-Kuragu, said although Ghana had been touted as a country that practised religious tolerance, religious broadcasts had been found to be an avenue that could change all that if care was not taken.
He explained that it was the reason the NMC, GIBA and other stakeholders had decided to champion the development of guidelines for religious broadcasts on radio, television and the Internet.
