Analysis of the NMC or strategies free, fair and responsible media for election 2012 by Muniratu Issah (AUDP09100014)

The National Media Commission Statutory Institution set up by the 1992 Constitution of Ghana to ensure higher journalistic standards in the country. It’s representations comprises of various set ups such as Institute of Public Relations, Ghana Journalist Association, Ghana Bar Association among others with its Chairman as Ambassador Kabral Blay Amihene and Secretary as George Sarpong.

In pursuance of its mandate as stated in Article 167(b) “to take all appropriate measures to ensure the establishment and maintenance of the highest journalistic standards in the mass media…” the NMC intends to undertake the following activities/projects.

Conscious of the fact that there are other actors on the media landscape apart from journalists, the NMC intends to engage political parties, party executives and their spokepersons at encounters to be organised periodically between June and October this years.

Establishment of Regional media Advisory Countils – as a matter of urgency, the NMC intends to establish these councils to help deal with issues of media responsibility in the regions. These councils will evaluate media performance in their regions and advise the NMC.

Assignment of NMC Members and Representatives as observers of media performance durin the elections – The NMC is of the view that it should deploy members and teams to the regions as observers and monitors for elections 2012 to enable the NMC have a true assessment of media performance during the elections.

Establishment of Quick Response Committee to deal with such complaints and cases of media infractions – the MC is of the view that it is particularly important in this elections year that it responds quickly to media developments that pose any threat to peace and has therefore established this sub-Committee to deal with such situations. This Committee will also monitor any developments or trends that seek to undermine and threaten the freedom and independence of the media.

The NMC is also considering legislative reforms as part of its policy of taking appropriate measures to promote high journalistic standards. These reforms will also look at the Registration of Newspapers to bring in greater regulation of the print media.

The NMC recognises thepresent status quo in which the National Communiation Authority allocates frequency but does not regulate content which is done by the NMC and intends to collaborate with the NCA to ensure that airwaves do not heathen tensions before, during and after the elections.

Further more, in pursuance of its mandate, as stated in the National Media Commission (Act 1993) under Article 2(d) ‘ “to take measure sto ensure that persons responsible for state-owned media afford fair opportunities and facilities for presentation of divergent views and dissenting opinions”, the NMC intends to undertake the following projects;

Establishment of a Special Monitoring Dest to undertake monitoring and content analysis of state-owned media. Findings of this project will enable the NMC to take all appropriate meausres to ensure strict compliance with the relevant provisions of the NMC Act.

Monthly Meetings effective July with the Boards, Chief Executives to discuss performance of state-owned media. Additionally, Boards shall be expected to set up internal mechanisms to ensure strict compliance of fairness and equity as directed by the NMC Act.

Workshops and Seminars for editors on Guidelines relevant to state-owned media in particular and media in general.