U2 Company Limited, operators of Accra-based United Television (UTV) has condemned the invasion of its studio by thugs said to be members of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The company says the incident violated its fundamental rights and freedoms, and the independence of the media as enshrined under Chapters 5 and 12 respectively of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. 

U2 in a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 10, said steps were being taken to avert a recurrence.

“We condemn this act of violence and vandalism as it violates our Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms, and the Independence of the Media as enshrined under Chapters 5 and 12 respectively of the 1992 Constitution of our country.”

“We are deeply concerned about this event and we are diligently taking all security and legal measures to prevent the reoccurrence of this unfortunate incident.”

According to the release, the General Secretary and other leaders of the party, have visited them and apologised for the incident. 

“We have also had a visit from the General Secretary and some leaders of NPP, who have apologised on behalf of the intruders and condemned the act. They have assured us of the non-occurrence of such an act again.”

It thus thanked the public for the support it has received since the incident occurred. 

“To our viewers and all other stakeholders including the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), National Democratic Congress (NDC), the leader of The

Movement for Change, National Media Commission (NMC), Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and other well-wishers, we appreciate the love and support shown us.”

“We are committed to our values and principles as an Independent Media House and we will not be deferred by unethical and disturbing activities. Our priority is to continue providing quality news and programs while ensuring the safety and security of all stakeholders. We will continue to maintain an impartial and non-biased editorial stance while providing a safe and secure platform for diverse views and opinions to be expressed.”

What happened at UTV studios?

A group of young men barged into the studios of UTV during the station’s prime time entertainment show, ‘United Showbiz’ temporarily disrupting the show and threatening to beat up the host and her guests on live television.

According to them, the show had become a platform where the government has consistently been unfairly criticised in an unprofessional manner, to the point that a letter from the NPP to the management of UTV to reform the United Showbiz, was torn apart live on air by political activist, Kwame A Plus, a regular panellist of the show.

Meanwhile, since the incident took place , individuals and institutions have condemned the incident.

According to the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), the act was both “barbaric and medieval, and it is very much consistent with the building blocks in recent times to establish a state of impunity against the media, one that is worse than the infamous ‘Culture of Silence’.”

“We wish to inform such evil minds, both orchestrators and actors, that the media in Ghana have survived all forms of clampdown in the past, even under dictatorial regimes, and that we shall never be intimidated or silenced by any form of attack,” the statement from GJA added.

However, the National Youth Organiser of the party, Salam Mustapha, has confirmed that all the young men who invaded the media house are known members of the party.

Speaking on Ghana’s leading current affairs show on radio, Ekosiisen on Monday, October 9, Salam Mustapha told the host Osei Bonsu [Alias OB], that it would be disingenuous on his part to deny the affiliation of the young men to the NPP.

He, however, explained that the party did not sanction the actions of the youth, comprising of constituency youth organizers and a Deputy Greater Accra Youth Organiser.

“OB, I can’t be on this platform and claim that I don’t know them. All those in the video I know them. And I can confirm that some of them are constituency youth organisers, and one is a Deputy Regional Youth Organiser [Greater Accra]. They are the guys that I work with, and so I cannot deny their bona fide membership to the New Patriotic Party. As for that, I cannot lie on this platform. They’re NPP members that I work with, and I can state emphatically that I know them” he noted. 

Asked whether the Deputy Youth Organiser among them was currently acting as the Greater Accra NPP Youth Organiser, Salam Mustapha said he could not confirm that since the regional executives were yet to inform the national level about any such changes.