Call Captain Smart’s ‘egregious conduct’ to order- NMC to Media General
National Media Commission (NMC) has called on the board and book runners of Onua TV, FM, a subsidiary of Media General to call their firebrand presenter Captain Smart to order and immediately ensure he desist from his egregious conduct on the airwaves.
Captain was arrested and caged by the police for hours after which he was cautioned and granted bail. His case was adjourned to December 20, 2021 after there was no show in court, compelling his lawyer Martin Kpebu to agree on the next adjournment date upon hours of waiting.
A letter signed by Executive Secretary of the NMC George Sarpong, drew the attention of Managers of Media General to be aware of “the regulatory imports of the egregious conduct and subsequent press release seeking to justify Captain Smart’s unprofessional actions on TV”.
Below is the full letter:
P.O. Box SD 114, Stadium, Accra
Tel: +233 (0) 302 737 514
GPS: GL-060-2379
The Chairman
Board of Directors
Onua Fm/Onua TV
c/o Media General GH Ltd
12 Kanda Avenue
Accra
December 8, 2021
Dear Sir/Madam
REGULATORY CONCERNS AT ONUA FM/ONUA TV
On December 2, 2021, we issued a “cease and desist” letter to the management of Onua Fm to address unprofessional and inciteful broadcast arising from a presenter’s call for insurrection against the state and its institutions. The presenter had called for an “uprising” in Ghana and expressed surprise at the lack of response from the military and other institutions.
In writing to management, we had hoped that they could provide leadership to bring the station’s content in line with acceptable standards. However, two issues have raised doubt about that hope.
First, we have become aware of a press release in which your management sought to strain free expression to accord with the egregious conduct of the presenter.
Second, management of the station, in their response to us, left the matters in issue and rather grieved over complaints settlement procedures which had nothing to do with the “cease and desist” letter.
It is unclear to us whether management appreciate the regulatory import of these actions.
We therefore bring the matter to your attention for your necessary action.
Yours faithfully,
George Sarpong
Executive Secretary
Source: africaneditors.com
There is a good reason why you should support the African Editors. Not everyone can afford to pay for news right now. That is why we keep our journalism open for everyone to read, including in Ghana. If this is you, please continue to read for free. But if you are able to, then there are three good reasons to support us today.
1. Our quality, journalism is a scrutinising force at a time when the rich and powerful are getting away with more and more.
2. We are independent and have no billionaire owner pulling the strings, so your money directly powers our reporting.
3. It doesn’t cost much, and takes less time than it took to read this message.
Help power the African Editors' journalism for the years to come, whether with a small sum or a larger one. If you can, please support us on a monthly basis from just 1 Ghana Cedi through mobile money number: 0599896099/ +23359989609 and you can be rest assured that you’re making a big impact every single month in support of open, independent journalism. Thank you.
