Some twelve (12) television stations have received their final warning notice from the National Media Commission for repeatedly broadcasting offensive content in the form of fake lottery, occultism, money doubling, money rituals and inappropriate sexual content (pornography).
The 12 stations are Asomafo TV, Adwenpa TV, Diamond TV, X TV, Funny TV, Big TV, Passion TV, Elephant TV, Best TV, Energy TV, Nkabom TV and Seekers TV.
The NMC has said they are repeat offenders and have therefore been issued a final warning, following which regulatory action may be taken against them without further reference to them.
This was contained in a press release by the NMC, dated December 11, 2023, signed and issued by George Sarpong, Executive Secretary of the NMC.
The statement noted that “the offending stations who were cited in NMC’s fortnight report continued to carry out their offensive broadcasts after publicly cautioning them. It said this constitutes their final warning, following which regulatory action may be taken against them without any further reference to them.
The release also highlighted the National Media Commission and National Communications Authority’s (NCA) joint monitoring of the airwaves in November 2023.
It said the second part of November saw an increased trend of 64.7% in the overall number of reported cases of unethical and unlawful content on the airwaves above the first-fortnight report released on November 16, 2023.
The NMC revealed that in the specific categories of unlawful and unethical content, fake lottery increased sixfold (676%) while occultism doubled (105%). On the contrary, money doubling decreased by 23%, while money rituals decreased by 16%.
In the related case of Onua TV and Onua FM, the National Media Commission said it has filed a notice of suspension of authorization with the National Communications Authority after the extended time expired without the stations apologizing or withdrawing “their offensive content.”
The NMC added that the offenders have filed a case in court claiming a right to carry the content the Commission finds offensive. The NMC expressed gratitude to the NCA for the positive collaboration in securing professionalism in broadcasting and reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring free, pluralistic and responsible media in Ghana.