Debate on Broadcasting Law continues

Participants at a day's workshop to discuss proposals that would inform the drafting and passage of a National Broadcasting Law to regulate the industry have advocated an independent public service media devoid of overwhelming negative control. They say broadcasting either public service, commercial or community owned should represent multiplicity of public views because the airwaves belong to the people. The chairperson of the Advocacy Steering Committee, Berifi Apenteng said a broadcasting law is necessary to provide for the orderly, yet dynamic arrangement of the broadcasting media landscape. Mr. Apenteng said the draft proposal is currently with the Minister of Information and National Orientation to be submitted to cabinet for approval. The Executive Director, Media Foundation for West Africa, Prof. Kwame Karikari said the basis of a broadcasting law has to be premised on the concept of pluralism and multiplicity of views. He said for the concept of media independence to be effective, the media should not be attached to any organisation or institution. The Editor of the Ghanaian Times, Ajoa Yeboa-Afari noted that Ghanaians are concerned about the language used on radio, especially during phone-in programmes. Ms Yeboa-Afari said sometime the news read in the local languages are a different reflection of the English version when translated. She urged the drafters to look critically at such translations. The Managing Director of Diamond FM in Tamale Edward Ameyibor urged government to come out clearly on whether it wants to be sole owner of GBC or not. He said if government should continue to be the sole owner of GBC then it should be prepared to fund the corporation to realise its full potential in the best interest of the public.