The National Communications Authority (NCA) in collaboration with the National Media Commission (NMC) has blown the cover of some Ten (10) free-to-air Television Stations for engaging in unethical and inappropriate broadcasts.
The implicated channels were accused of telecasting money-doubling rituals, fake lotteries, Occultism and inappropriate adult content.
According to a joint press release, the survey covered the second part of November which has witnessed an increasing trend of 64.7% in the overall number of reported cases of unethical and unlawful content on the airwaves above the first-fortnight report released on November 16, 2023.
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The TV stations include and not limited to; Adwenpa TV, Asomafo TV, Elephant TV, X TV, Diamond TV, Big TV, Passion TV, Funny TV, Best TV and Energy TV.
“In the specific categories of unlawful and unethical content, fake lottery increased six-fold (676%) while occultism doubled (105 %).”, the release disclosed.
It also described some of the stations as repeated offenders and issued a last warning to them to either reform or face the necessary consequences. These include Asomafo TV, Adwenpa TV, Diamond TV, X TV, Funny TV, Big TV, Passion TV, Elephant TV, Best TV, Energy TV, Nkabom TV and Seekers TV.
On the NMC’s issue with Onua TV and Onua FM it said “On the related case of Onua TV and Onua FM, the Commission has filed a notice of suspension of authorization with NCA after the extended time expired without the stations apologizing or withdrawing their offensive content. They have subsequently filed a case in court claiming a right to carry the content the Commission finds offensive. The Commission will continue to update the public on the issue”
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Meanwhile the Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has clarified that the National Communication Authority (NCA) is not responsible for regulating or licensing the content of television stations.
“The National Communications Authority is only responsible for spectrums and the authorization to use spectrum but in terms of content, they have no say on the kind of content that you air. The National Media Commission (NMC) is responsible for the kind of content on our airwaves and our media.”
He added, “Now, the draft of the broadcasting bill requires that for somebody to get access to electronic frequencies for media, that media house must serve notice of the content to the National Media Commission which notice of content will then be commented on for the NCA consideration so that you can at least help persons who are looking to get access to media meet a certain level of content criteria before NCA can consider their application and also monitor if that media is going according to the notice served”.
