NMC, NCA clamps down on money doublers, ritualists and charlatans

In a concerted effort to cleanse Ghana’s media landscape, the Nation Media Commission (NMC) and the National Communication Authority (NCA) have launched a robust campaign to crack down on money doublers, ritualists, and charlatans who have found their way into the nation’s airwaves.

This critical initiative, aimed at sanitizing broadcasting content in the country, was officially unveiled on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.

At the core of this initiative is the establishment of the Broadcasting Monitoring Center, a specialized entity with the mandate to regulate and curb offensive media content.

In addition, a toll-free reporting number has been activated, empowering vigilant media consumers to promptly report any egregious content they encounter.

Speaking at the launch event, the Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, praised the collaborative efforts of the NMC and NCA in creating this center.

He commended their efficient use of national resources and underscored the importance of striking a balance between regulatory functions and the right to free expression.

“First, I want to congratulate both the NMC and NCA for this collaboration. It is an efficient use of the scarce national resources that we have.

“In many places, you see an attempt to duplicate, but you have collaborated, and you’re saving all of us some money, and I want to congratulate you for that,” the Minister stated.

Background

The decision by the NMC and NCA to combat the broadcast of egregious content within the media was the result of a significant stakeholders’ consultative meeting held in 2021.

During this meeting, there was unanimous agreement that regulatory action was imperative, given the escalating proliferation of dubious individuals on the airwaves.

The launch event saw the presence of influential figures in Ghana’s media landscape, including the Director General of the NCA, Joe Anokye, Chairman of the NMC, Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, Executive Secretary of the NMC, George Sarpong, and the President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour.

Representatives from various media umbrella bodies were also in attendance.

Mr. Joe Anokye expressed his satisfaction with the establishment of the state-of-the-art center.

He noted that the center, the first of its kind in the sub-region, would significantly aid regulators in monitoring and promptly clamping down on offensive media content, which has been on the rise for some time.

This collective determination of the industry to combat fraudulent activities and uphold the integrity of Ghana’s media reflects the commitment of both the NCA and NMC.

Mr. Boadu-Ayeboafoh stressed that given the increasing prevalence of egregious broadcasting content, it was crucial to establish standards, and this is precisely what the NCA and NMC have achieved with the creation of the Monitoring Center.