Media and governance expert, Benjamin Offei-Addo is calling for constitutional reforms aimed at bolstering the role of the National Media Commission (NMC) in upholding ethical standards in the media space.
During his keynote address at the maiden International Political Conference organised by Professor Etse Sikanku and the Center for Public Discourse and Analysis (CPDA) on Friday, Mr. Offei-Addo explained the amendment would help regulate content put out by media houses.
He proposed that as part of conditions for renewal of licenses, the NMC be mandated to appoint an individual to the board of each media company whose job would be to assess the content sent out there for public consumption by the organisation.
The media practitioner, who was speaking at the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) in Dzorwulu, Accra further stated that a future renewal of the media organization’s license to operate will be conditioned on the report of the NMC delegate who served on the board.
“The role of the National Media Commission should be further strengthened,” he said, suggesting the commission “be required” by the constitution to “have a person appointed unto their board of directors whose work will one, primarily ensure that ethical standards per the National Media Commission are enforced in that media institution”.
He called for an “objective standard” to be followed by the NMC in order that media organisations are not arbitrarily targeted for disqualification.
Mr. Offei-Addo advocated for constitutional reforms that will effectively “limit the involvement of politically exposed persons” in media ownership within the country.
He cited a 2022 Media Foundation for West Africa report which found that about 60% of media houses in the country were owned by individuals who were linked to the political class.
Drawing comparisons with the banking sector, the media guru said it was high time the rigorous regulations with regards to owing a financial firm applied to the media arena as well.
He commended President Mahama for setting up a constitutional review committee charged with kickstarting the process of amending the 1992 constitution which has been in place for over three decades.
A lecturer at UniMAC-Institute of Journalism, Dr. Paul Herzuah who delivered a review of the address noted that the proposed reforms to the National Media Commission would help sanitize the media space.
He underscored the role of media ownership in influencing content churned out by media houses.
