NMC sets up committee to investigate GBC Management

Accra, Oct. 3, GNA-The National Media Commission (NMC) has set up a Five-Member Committee to investigate the failure of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) to telecast live President John Atta Mills' address to the 64th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

A released signed by Mr Paul Adu-Gyamfi, Chairman of the Commission and copied to the GNA on Saturday, indicated that at its emergency meeting held on Thursday, members of the NMC expressed concern on the fact that the Ministry of Information by- passed the laid down administrative procedure and structure to set up a committee of inquiry into the matter.

The release said the NMC though shares the concerns of the Ministry, express regret that the appropriate laid down procedures for resolving the matter had not been followed.

It said the NMC had reminded the Ministry of Information that under the 1992 Constitution, the Commission is enjoined to insulate the state-owned media organizations from governmental control and would not countenance any instruction or instructions that would act to undermine its constitutional obligation.

"It is the view of the Commission that the Ministry of Information should have liaised with it in finding answers and solutions to the cause of the failure," the release said.

It said the Commission has absolute confidence in the board and management of GBC and that the board should be able to deal with any infraction that might have resulted in the failure to telecast live the President's address to the United Nations.