Commission to ensure that state media give equal space to political parties

Accra (Greater Accra) 18 June '99

Nana Akufo Addo, the Minority Spokesman on Constitutional and Legal Matters on Thursday reminded the State-Owned Media (SOM) of their constitutional duty to ensure the free flow of information.

In addition, he said, the good citizens of this country should have equal access to the media irrespective of their political affiliations.

Nana Akufo Addo, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa gave the reminder when he moved a private member's motion urging the National Media Commission to ensure that SOM comply with the Supreme Court's judgment of November 30, 1993.

The Supreme Court ruled that SOM should grant equal time, space and access to the activities of all registered political parties in the country.

Arguing in support of his motion, Nana Akufo Addo said, "the unpalatable, compelling crux of the matter is that, SOM in our country, is heavily biased, and controlled by the ruling NDC (National Democratic Congress), and that they will continue to be its mouthpiece".

Nana Akomea, NPP-Okaikwei-South seconded the motion.

Nana Akufu Addo said as MPs, they would be failing in their fundamental duty, if they do not defend the Constitution and thus ensure good governance.

Nana Akufo Addo contended that in the view of the Minority, the floor of the house is the "proper forum to debate the matter", and that the foundation of the motion is fairness.

While referring to the "Ghanaian Times" as being controlled entirely by the ruling government, the Minority Spokesman on Constitutional and Legal Matters accused the "Daily Graphic" of being consistently biased in its reporting in recent times.

To buttress his point, Nana Akufo Addo based his argument on stories appearing on page 11, the Political Page of the previous week's copies of the "Daily Graphic", from June eight to Thursday June 17.

Quoting the headlines of stories on that page, he said, it was crystal clear that Graphic carried more stories on the activities of the ruling NDC than the opposition parties.

Nana Akufo Addo urged the Ministry of Communications to bring pressure to bear on SOM to ensure that all registered parties are given fair treatment as far as coverage was concerned.

He further urged the ruling government to take measures to create a fair electoral playing field next year so that when the results are declared, all participating political parties would have no cause to dispute or challenge them.

In an Amendment Motion, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, the Majority Chief Whip proposed that the National Media Commission (NMC) should rather investigate whether SOM are complying with Article 55 (11) of the Constitution.

It states that "the State shall provide fair opportunity to all political parties to present their programmes to the public by ensuring equal access to the SOM", and report to the House indicating among other things, the constraints, if any, that they face in complying with the said Article.

Arguing in support of his Amendment Motion, which was seconded by Mr Ebenezer Kobina Fosu, NDC-Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa, Mr Adjaho said Article 172 of the Constitution states that NMC shall not be subject to direction or control by any authority.

In his view, therefore, the only way to reconcile the motion and the amendment motion is to call for an investigation.

He said as an appropriate constitutional body, it is the Commission that should investigate the complaint brought before the House by Nana Akufo Addo.

In doing so, however, Mr Adjaho indicated that the Majority is not against the ruling of the Supreme Court because it is the highest court of the land.

The Majority Chief Whip indicated that in his view, Nana Akufo Addo should have directed his complaint against SOM to NMC.

He, therefore, described Nana Akufo Addo's motion as "frivolous, illegal, unconstitutional and bogus", and said it should not be adopted.

Mr Kenneth Dzirasah, First Deputy Speaker had a hectic time bringing the House to order, because there were several interruptions of points of order from both sides of the House.

He, therefore, had to defer debate on the motions to Friday.