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The National Media Commission says it will sanction any media house which allows its platform to be used to incite violence, ahead of the Supreme Court judgement.At a joint news conference with the National Communication Authority, Executive Secretary of the NMC George Sarpong, said those who err will be severely dealt with."Any media house which allows its platform to be used to incite people to conflict will be fully responsible," he warned.His comments come in the wake of judgement to be given by the judges who heard the Presidential Election Petition challenging the 2012 general elections.There are fears the verdict may create tension and even chaos in the country.Some civil society organisations have begun peace campaigns to ensure that all parties will agree to the verdict of the judges.But the NMC, the regulatory body of the media in Ghana says it will not countenance any irresponsible media practice that will slide the country into violence.
George Sarpong charged the media to investigate allegations made by political activists before putting those allegations out in the public.According to him, a committee has been set up by the NMC and NCA to monitor compliance of the directive."The two institutions will not hesitate to take appropriate measures within the law against any media house that does not comply with the terms of the broad casting organisations, the various guidelines of the NMC and the Code of Ethics of the GJA," he warned.But the Executive Director of the Centre for African Elections Media Monitoring Index, Dr. Messan Mawugbe says the media cannot be used as scape goats.He said the warning by the NMC is only a subtle attempt by the NMC to gag the media.Instead of commending the media for terrific job done in covering the Presidential Election Petition, Messan Mawugbe said the NMC has rather resorted to issuing "ad-hoc" guidelines and threats."To what extent can the media be held responsible for inciteful comments," he asked.He said the NMC must also look politicians who use their political platforms to churn out these violent comments.
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