Head of Media Studies at the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC), Dr. Paul Anzah Ackah Herzuah, has said that the action of a panelist on UTV’s United Showbiz programme, Kwame Asare Obeng (A-Plus), in tearing up a letter that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had written to the management of the station raising concerns about the structure of the show, on live television was equally bad.
Although Dr Harzuah said the attack on UTV was despicable and unfortunate, the management of the station should have controlled A-Plus and stopped him from tearing up the letter.
Speaking on the Sunrise Show with Johnnie Hughes on 3FM on Monday, October 9, Dr Harzuah said “It was unfortunate given the fact that it involved a top political party like the NPP. The invasion was a despicable act, it can be condemned in no uncertain terms but looking at what happened before the invasion, A-Plus tearing the papar or that communique live on TV was also still not the best as far as I am concerned.
“We have freedom of speech and freedom of action granted, he can defend himself but I think that the media also have a responsibility of really checking certain things. We are all aware that this country is polarised in terms of NPP and NDC and so if you are a media station and you profess to be neutral, what happens is that you have viewership that comes from both sides of the political divide and so if something happens and some of your viewership realize that it didn’t go well then you the media station you have the responsibility to put certain things in place. So I thought that UTV could have reined in a little bit the actions of A-Plus but again A-Plus also thought that he had the right to do whatever he did. But I think it was a very despicable act by those who invaded the premises.”
Prior to tearing up the letter, A-Plus had indicated on one of the editions of the show that regarding the letter “This letter is appalling because we have received threatening calls from people plotting to disrupt the show. NPP members should refrain from such actions and should not write such letters again. This is an absurd letter.”
He continued by asserting, “No one in this country can dictate what we do on this show, especially when the president is a seasoned lawyer and someone who believes in the rule of law.”
Regarding the attack, former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, has said the attack indicates how the government has allowed impunity to thrive.
He said that similar actions were taken in the past when the youth of the NPP attacked state officials but steps were not taken by the government to punish them.
“Perhaps, these thugs have taken cue from how the government and the party have allowed impunity to fester and grow in the NPP.
“If I recall, no one was allowed to be punished when similar groups went to the seat of government in the Ashanti region to attack the then-national security coordinator. Again, no one was made to face the law, when these brutes attacked a court in Kumasi making the lady judge who was sitting on that case run for her life in the full glare of the public,” he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the NPP has distanced itself from what happened in the studios of UTV.
The Director of Communications of the party, Richard Ahiagbah in a statement said “It has come to the attention of the leadership of the New Patriotic Party an unfortunate incident that occurred last night at UTV involving some sympathisers of the NPP who went to the studio to raise a protest against the United Showbiz programme.
“We wish to state forcefully that the said act was not sanctioned by the party, and we apologise unreservedly to UTV, the programme team, and the general public.
“The right of citizens to free speech is one of the cardinal values of our party, and we are committed to its advancement. The proper way for anyone to express any concerns over any programme by any media house would be to make a formal complaint.
“Advancing in numbers to interrupt the work of any media house is unacceptable, and we condemn it.
“The Ghana Police Service is currently investigating the matter, and the party intends to cooperate fully with the investigators to deal with the matter expeditiously.”
The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah also condemned the attack and stated that the right to free expression and freedom of the media are key pillars of Ghana’s democracy and must be fiercely protected.
“The Ministry condemns in no uncertain terms any unauthorized entry into media organization in protest of media content or interference with media work,” the Ofoase Ayirebi lawmaker said in a statement issued on Sunday, October 8.
He added “The Ministry stands with the Police and the courts in the conduct of their duties. The Ministry wishes to encourage the media especially broadcast media show hosts and panelists to do their utmost to promote national cohesion even as they exercise their fundamental freedoms.”
Following a complaint from the Despite Media Group and Ministry of Information that certain people had invaded the studios of UTV, the Police said they proceeded to the scene and arrested sixteen persons.
The incident occurred during the broadcast of the station’s United Showbiz programme on Saturday, October 7. The show was disrupted immediately after it started around 9PM.
The arrested persons were captured in a video indicating they had gone for one of the panelists Kwame Asare Obeng (A-Plus).
When the show resumed after about an hour break due to the interruption, A-Plus accused the NPP of masterminding the attack, a claim the Director of Communications of the NPP, Richard Ahiagbah denied after he visited the studios to respond to the allegation.
“My checks show that the NPP is not behind this action,” he said after condemning the attack.
A-Plus also accused a Deputy Communications Director of the NPP, Ernest Owusu-Bempah of instigating the attack.
“I am hearing that Owusu-Bempah is the one who instigated this,” a livid A-Plus said.
However, Owusu-Bempah in a statement asked him to retract and apologise else he would sue him for defamation.
Owusu-Bempah’s statement said “I have become aware of a rather unfortunate incident in the studios of UTV, were a group of young men interrupted this weekend’s edition of United Showbiz program. The reason cited for the disruption of the program is unknown to me.
“Again, I have no knowledge of the situation, neither do I know the characters involved. Surprisingly, a panelist on the show, Kwame Asare Obeng, otherwise known as A-Plus descended into the gutters with all sorts of attacks on my person. Furthermore, A-Plus directly linked me to the incident and repeatedly claimed that I was responsible for the disruption of the program and went ahead to issue a direct threat on my person.
“He also falsely alleged that I mobilized the group that disrupted the United Showbiz program without providing any lawful justification or evidence, and also indicated that he will mobilize thugs to come and harm me at Ghana Gas.
“Let me put on record that these accusations and defamatory statements were made without any substantiation or lawful justification. I have made a formal complaint to the police regarding the threat made on my life.
“On the other hand, I am by this statement demanding a retraction of A-Plus’s defamatory words and an unqualified apology. If he should fail or refuse to do that, then I would have no other option than to instruct my lawyers to institute legal action for
the damage and injury caused to my integrity.”
The National Media Commission (NMC) expressed concern over the attack and assured that it is working with the Police to address the situation.
A statement dated October 8, 2023 and signed by the Executive Secretary, Mr George Sarpong said, “The Commission is concerned about the increasing use of violence as the preferred method for addressing grievances against the media and journalists. Perpetrators of such crimes must realise that violence does not produce better journalism.”
The NMC pointed out that, “the Constitution provides anyone who feels aggrieved by the work of the media the opportunity to seek redress through the complaint settlement mechanism of the National Media Commission.
“As we approach the electioneering process for Ghana 2024, it is important for political actors and all Ghanaians to learn that the Ghana we envisage would not be built on the path of violent attacks on journalists.”
“The Commission assured that in the next couple of weeks, it will be rolling out a comprehensive programme to reactivate the Coordinated Mechanism for the Safety of Journalists to ensure the media continue to operate without fear.”
“In the meantime, we assure the public of our cooperation with the Ghana Police Service to get to the bottom of this matter,” the NMC assured.
