Ahead of 2016 Polls: NMC advises the media not use your their medium to provoke political violence

Story by Isaac Asare

    

The NMC is discontent about the manner at which the media sets the agenda for political actors to hurl insults at each other.

It contended that the use of intemperate language and verbal confrontations provokes political intolerance and must be avoided to avert any possible conflict in the run up to the 2016 elections. 

At a media forum held in Bolgatanga, the Executive Secretary of the NMC, George Sarpong observed that the media has an arduous task to regulate and reshape people’s opinions on issues rather than allowing their medium to be used for damaging verbal retributions. 

 To political actors, he advised that running each other down with verbal attack is not the way to go, instead issues should be carefully approached with civility, taking into cognisance the religious and moral implications. 

Mr Sarpong made the appeal during the launch of an election project dubbed ‘Improving Media Regulations in the regions for Peaceful election 2016.  Isaac Asare has more for Radio Ghana.

 Report

In the run up to any political election, there is always an atmosphere of tension and a feeling of uneasiness among political actors. 

In their quest to either wrestle or maintain political power, social commentators and other political analysts resort to unhealthy verbal exchanges that are often considered disparaging and inciting. 

Undoubtedly, the use of intemperate language on the airwaves has caused political violence in most neighbouring African countries resulting in the death of dozens of innocent citizens. 

 In the run up to the 2016 general elections, report by some political observers and other credible media outlets brings to fore the high  incidents of indecent expressions on radio stations across the country. 

Obviously, the trend is gaining prominence as the country’s airwaves have suddenly become a breeding ground for political party officials, affiliates and supporters in the use of abusive languages. 

To this background, the NMC has taken the initiative to sanitize the system by inciting the media to purge the airwaves of this canker. 

The launch of the election project therefore reinforces the commission’s resolve to deepen democracy and promote political tolerance among the citizenry. 

Addressing the gathering, a Legal Practitioner and the Executive Secretary of the NMC, George Sarpong, said expressing one’s displeasure on a subject by a political opponent can be done in a morally accepted manner rather than speaking back with fury.

The engagement session, which saw the official inauguration of a Seven-Member Media Advisory Committee, was used to caution the youth against political related violence.

 To this end, Mr Sarpong repeated calls for the youth not to allow themselves to be used as elements of destruction by selfish political figures since they have a greater stake in the development pursuit of the nation.

Retired Educationist, Robert Ajeni, who represented as the chairman for the occasion, said going forward, the media is expected to play its gate-keeping role by working to sustain the country’s enviable democracy. 

 Mr Ajeni who is also the chairman for Regional Media Advisory Committee laid particular emphasizes on the need for the media to raise topical issues that addresses the development needs of the country and not use their medium to project conflict. 

The meeting brought together religious leaders as well as representatives of the various political parties among other functionaries including the media.

GBC