The National Media Commission (NMC) has maintained its stance on the suspension notice issued to Onua TV and Onua FM, asserting that the stations brought the intervention upon themselves through unprofessional practices.
The NMC emphasized that the suspension process has been initiated, but both stations will be accorded a fair hearing in due course and on the appropriate forum.
The Executive Secretary of the NMC, George Sarpong, was addressing concerns raised by the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), which claimed the Commission acted without providing an opportunity for a fair hearing to the stations.
According to Mr Sarpong, the NMC has not imposed any sanctions at this stage and added, “Instead, a notice of suspension was filed following warnings issued to the stations regarding their professional delinquency.”
He clarified the distinction between a ‘cease and desist’ order and a sanction, stressing that the former serves as a warning to cease inappropriate behaviour without involving a formal hearing.
He likened it to warning a pickpocket to stop stealing or advising someone poisoning a public well to halt their dangerous actions.
The Executive Secretary argued that the opportunity for a fair hearing arises when an individual or organization, having received a warning, persists in their misconduct and faces legal consequences.
In this context, the NMC emphasized that it has not yet imposed sanctions on Onua TV and Onua FM.
The Commission pointed out that the press statement issued by GIBA is of no consequence to the process it has initiated, to the extent that Onua TV and Onua FM invited this upon themselves.
“We wrote to you out of courtesy so if it is your wish that we do not grant you that courtesy in future, we respect that.”
“Regarding how we deal with other organisations including the Advertising Association of Ghana, the ordinary rules of etiquette would require you not to attempt to dictate to us,” the Commission stated.