The Director General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Berifi Afari Apenteng has called for the setting up of an autonomous body to manage and disburse funds from the Media Development fund established by government this year.Finance Minister, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor in his 2012 budget statement announced the establishment of a Media Development Fund with a seed capital of 1 million dollars.Speaking at a stakeholder’s forum on how to manage the fund, Mr. Apenteng described the fund as crucial to the survival and growth of the media, thus stressing the need for it to be removed from direct political control.According to him, the body set up to manage the fund has to be autonomous and dependent on a variety of financial sources instead of one major source.He also raised concern about the immediate disbursement of funds without considering an investment plan to ensure sustainability.Some participants at the forum also raised pertinent concerns such as whether or not to exclude public media houses which are already receiving support from government through subsidy and if new media should be included in the dissemination of the fund.One crucial issue was also how to prevent political and government interference in administering the fund and how to maintain its autonomy.In an interview with Joy News TV, the President of the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) Chief Crystal-Djirackor thanked government for finally responding to their persistent cry especially since independent broadcasters have brought a new dimension to media practice in the country.He however said GIBA will ensure its members are not treated unfairly by the new media fund and encouraged media organizations to come together under one umbrella to support the fund which is for their own good.