By Albert Futukpor
Tamale, Sept 17, GNA – The National Media Commission (NMC) has constituted and inaugurated an eight-member Northern Regional Media Advisory Committee to deal with excesses in the profession in the Northern, North East, and Savannah regions.
The NMC will rely on the Committee to settle complaints of media infractions recorded in the three regions.
It has Sheikh Dr Tamim Abubakar as Chairman and Mr Eric Amoh, Journalist, as Coordinator.
The members are Reverend Father Thaddeus Kuusah from the Northern Regional Peace Council, Dr Iliasu Adam, Lecturer, Mr Albert Futukpor, Regional Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association, Hajia Hajara Issahaku Telly, Social Worker, Hajia Kande, Public Servant, and Dr Alhassan Musah.
Mr George Sarpong, the Executive Secretary, NMC, at the inauguration in Tamale, said the Committee was apt as it was composed with accomplished professionals, who understood the local dynamics and languages to appropriately resolve complaints of media excesses.
“If the Committee, on its own, identifies issues in the media or deficits in the media that require addressing, the Committee will be empowered to do that,” he said.
“Acting on its own, the Committee can invite journalists to have interactions when they believe that is necessary. It is our expectation that we will also work with the Committee to be able to offer other basic training to journalists.”
Mr Yaw Boadu Ayeboafo, Chairman, NMC, encouraged the media to live up to their responsibility to serve the public.
“If we do our work well, we will forever be remembered,” he noted.
He cautioned media practitioners not to destroy one another in the name of politics and elections and urged them to choose responsibility over sensationalism.
Dr Iliasu Adam, Member of the Committee, who spoke on behalf of the Chairman, pledged the Committee’s readiness to the task.
It would work with the Ghana Journalists Association to come out with initiatives to build the capacity of media practitioners to ensure responsible journalism in the region.
GNA