NMC directs 'Vanguard' to apologise to Sintim-Misa

Accra, April 4, GNA - The National Media Commission (NMC) on Monday directed the Vanguard newspaper to retract stories it had written about Mr Kweku Sintim-Misa, which among other things described him as an NDC-paid comedian.

The newspaper has also been directed to render unqualified apologies to Mr Sintim-Misa.

A statement signed by Mr Wilson Kusi-Atansah, Chairman of the NMC, said the retraction and apologies should be published in two successive editions of the newspaper.

"The directive should be carried out within 14 days after the release of this press statement," the NMC said.

The NMC said it had amicably settled the complaint lodged against The Vanguard and its editor, Mr Osbert Lartey by Mr Sintim-Misa, popularly called KSM.

The stories also alleged that Mr Victor Smith had opened the frontiers of the Rawlingses to an opportunist like KSM to use his wealth to insult and attack decent people that disagreed with the philosophy of former President Jerry Rawlings.

The stories also claimed that KSM was bitter because the NPP had refused his plea to give his wife a job.

The statement said Mr Sintim-Misa denied the allegations, pointing out that he was not an NDC-paid comedian. He said he possessed a Master of Science degree in film and television production and that comedy was to him, a profession.

He also denied that he had approached any member of the NPP to seek a job for his wife.

The NMC statement said Mr Lartey told the Commission that one Mr Addison, who was a feature columnist of The Vanguard, once wrote an article that mentioned Mr Sintim-Misa's name.

He said when his attention was drawn to it, he directed the columnist to write a retraction and an apology, but Mr Addison refused and resigned.

Mr Lartey said Mr Sintim-Misa has for a long time rained persistent verbal attacks and other malicious insults on his person and the newspaper, and was prepared to apologise for and retract whatever wrongs the editorial staff of The Vanguard might have caused the reputation and character of Mr Sintim-Misa.

The NMC noted that in his complaint, Mr Sintim-Misa printed the name of Mr Lartey in lower characters and expressed displeasure about that.