Be cautious in commentary on Montie 3 verdict – GIBA

The Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), has entreated all its members to be circumspect in their commentary and reportage on the four-month prison sentence handed out to the Montie FM trio; Alistair Nelson, Godwin Ako Gunn and Salifu Maase, alias Mugabe.

GIBA in a statement asked members to strictly abide by the tenets of its recently launched Code of Conduct , adding that “the Supreme Court has sent a clear signal that, within the freedom of expression guaranteed under our constitution, there are lines that ought not to be crossed and there is the need to make it universally unacceptable for anyone to engage in such conduct.”

The three were jailed for contempt after they threatened the lives of the judges who were presiding over a case on the credibility of the voters' register.

GIBA assured that it would continue “engagements with various stakeholders such as the National Media Commission, the Judiciary, Parliament, National Communications Authority, and Ghana Journalists Association, to ensure the media remains free but the industry is well regulated.”

GIBA’s concerns come at a time when the incumbent NDC leadership in particular, has described the sentencing as harsh .

Lawyers for the convicts have also served notice they will petition the President to pardon them. Some party members numbering about 30, on Thursday protested at the NDC's headquarters asking the President to pardon the three or risk losing their votes in the December polls.

Okudzeto, Sawyerr, others sign petition to free Montie 3 

A Deputy Education Minister in charge of tertiary, and MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and the Deputy Chief of Staff, Valerie Sawyerr, on Thursday, joined to sign a petition book , that has been opened on the premises of pro-government station, Radio Gold, and at the Freedom Centre, ostensibly to pile pressure on President Mahama, to grant presidential pardon to the Montie FM trio, jailed four months by the Supreme Court, after they were found guilty of contempt.

Find below GIBA’s the full statement
The Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) has taken note of the custodial sentences handed to the host and two panellists on Montie FM, by the Supreme Court and the subsequent commentary by various interest groups.

GIBA as an Association is law abiding and respects the verdict of the Supreme Court. We entreat all members to be circumspect in their commentary and reportage on the issue and strictly abide by the tenets of our recently launched Code of Conduct. The Supreme Court has sent a clear signal that within the freedom of expression guaranteed under our constitution, there are lines that ought not to be crossed and there is the need to make it universally unacceptable for anyone to engage in such conduct.

We will continue our engagements with various stakeholders such as the National Media Commission, the Judiciary, Parliament, National Communications Authority, and Ghana Journalists Association, to ensure the media remains free but the industry is well regulated.

As an Industry Association, we encourage all Media Owners and Directors to strictly abide by the Articles guiding Corporate Governance and ensure that the code of our practice is internalized, and policies and directives on responsible media practice are enforced. We are in touch with the Owners and Directors of the station and will provide further updates appropriately.

We pray that cool heads prevail until the issues concerning our content standardization are finally resolved at the Supreme Court.

Signed; Akwasi Agyeman, President.
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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana