NMC To Close Down Errant Radio Stations In Bawku

The National Media Commission (NMC) has asked owners of radio stations in conflict-prone Bawku to ensure professionalism on the airwaves.

In a statement, the NMC called on owners of radio stations in Bawku to adopt stronger gatekeeping measures to ensure that parties with interests in the conflict do not hijack radio stations to foment trouble.

Media stations in the Bawku Municipality of the U/E region risk being shut down if they do not heed to the warnings of the National Media Commission.

The NMC in a statement earlier warned of the increasing manipulation by the media in the Bawku Conflict.#3NewsGH

— #3NewsGH (@3NewsGH) October 3, 2022

The commission is in the next two weeks requesting all owners of radio stations in conflict-prone Bawku in the Upper East Region to submit measures they have put in place to ensure professionalism on the airwaves.

“The Commission also advises media houses outside Bawku to be very circumspect in their coverage of the conflict. Media practitioners must also keep in mind the prosecution of journalists at the International Criminal Court and advise themselves accordingly,” the statement said.

Read full statement below:

The increasing weaponization of the media in the Bawku conflict has become a major source of concern for the National Media Commission. In the past couple of weeks, we have noted an escalation in incidences of hate speech, disinformation and incitement on radio of a scale and scope that pose a clear and present danger to the Bawku community. Some of the cases are closely reminiscent of the egregious misbehaviour of Radio Television Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM) in the Rwandan genocide.

As a media regulator, the National Media Commission believes that our collective search for peace must be anchored on a proper balance between the right of radio stations to broadcast and the legitimate need of society to protect public order as envisaged under articles 162,163 and 164 of the Constitution (1992). Consequently, the Commission hereby cautions radio stations and their staff that drastic consequences attend on culpability.

We call on owners of radio stations in Bawku to adopt stronger gatekeeping measures to ensure that persons with interests in the conflict do not hijack radio stations to foment trouble. Owners must be careful who they recruit as programme hosts and which persons are invited as guests on discussion programmes. Owners must remember that they bear ultimate responsibility for whatever happens on their networks.

Within the next two weeks, all owners of radio stations in the Bawku area are requested to submit to the Commission clear measures they have put in place to ensure professionalism in the radio stations.

The Commission also advises media houses outside Bawku to be very circumspect in their coverage of the conflict. Media practitioners must also keep in mind the prosecution of journalists at the International Criminal Court and advise themselves accordingly.

The Media Foundation for West Africa and the Ghana Independent Broadcasters’ Association have offered to assist any broadcaster in Bawku who may require assistance to review their gatekeeping and professional systems. The Commission commends the two institutions and all partners in the media and peacebuilding efforts in Bawku. We hope all radio stations shall take advantage of the offer.

Ultimately, it is important for stakeholders to understand that at the core of the tension between free expression and public safety is the need to seek the public good.