The legal representatives of Hon. Dr. Nana Ayew Afriye, Member of Parliament for Effiduase/Asokore in the Ashanti Region, have lodged a formal complaint with the National Media Commission (NMC) against Media General Ghana, the parent company of TV3 and Onua TV.
The complaint stems from allegations of false publications that allegedly misrepresented Dr. Afriye’s statements made during a recent political event.
In a letter dated October 1, 2024, Dr. Afriye’s legal team claims that, during a speech on September 26, he outlined the differences between legal small-scale mining, often referred to as community mining, and illegal small-scale mining, known as ‘galamsey.’
While he advocated for responsible mining practices, he strongly condemned illegal mining for its destructive impact on Ghana’s water bodies and environment, even invoking curses on those involved in galamsey.
However, the letter asserts that TV3 and Onua TV aired a distorted version of his remarks, which was allegedly intended to provoke public disaffection and tarnish Dr. Afriye’s reputation as a medical doctor, politician, and minister.
The misrepresentation, the letter claims, was further amplified by other media outlets, exacerbating the damage.
Dr. Afriye’s legal team expressed serious concerns about the ethical standards of the broadcasts, accusing Media General Ghana of failing to verify the accuracy of the reports.
They stressed that such actions compromise journalistic integrity and can severely affect the public’s perception of political figures.
- “The failure of TV3 and Onua TV to cross-check and verify the truthfulness of the statements before broadcasting them is a gross breach of journalistic ethics. Such irresponsible reporting not only distorts public discourse but also risks unfairly damaging the reputations of public officials and others in the political arena.”
The letter also formally requests that the NMC compel TV3 and Onua TV to retract the publications and issue a public apology. It warns that if these demands are not met, further legal action may be taken.
“We hereby demand an immediate retraction of the false statements aired by TV3 and Onua TV, as well as a public apology to Dr. Afriye. Should these demands not be met, we reserve the right to pursue further legal remedies against the aforementioned stations.”
Story by: Akpalu Edmond Deladem | univers.ug.edu.gh
