Deputy Information Minister-designate, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, says the apparent weakness of the National Media Commission (NMC) could be blamed on its limited powers.
He said the regulatory body could sanitise the media landscape and hold practitioners to task if it is given powers to sanction.
Taking his turn before Parliament’s Appointments Committee Thursday, the Ofoase-Ayirebi MP said the passage of the Broadcasting Bill will strengthen the NMC.
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The NMC has come under severe criticism in the past for its handling of issues in the media.
In the heat up to the 2016 general elections, the Commission was blamed for inflammatory language in the media.
Some supporters of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) were flagged for foul language by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).
While some Ghanaians accused the regulatory body of being lethargic, the NMC said it is limited by the powers given it.
A media law passed to regulate the content of media houses was shot down after the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) challenge it at the Supreme Court.
GIBA argued aspects of the Content Authorisation law contradicted the freedom as granted the media in the 1992 Constitution.
But Mr Oppong-Nkrumah, formerly host of Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, said the biggest challenge to the law is the fear that it will end up censoring media content.
He disclosed it should be possible for the NMC to be given powers in the law that will not be contrary to the Constitution.
He was emphatic media disregard for summons by the Commission would not be repeated if it is empowered to sanction.
“It will do its work to maintain standards if [the broadcasting bill] is passed,” he said.
The MP promised to liaise with the substantive Minister, Mustapha Hamid, to ensure the passage of the Right to Information Bill (RTI) and Broadcasting Bill.
source: myjoyonline.com