GJA backs GBC in DTT impasse

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has waded into the Digital Terrestrial Television platform impasse between the Communications Minister and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation declaring support for the broadcaster.

According to the GJA, the directive by the Communications Minister that GBC should shut down three of its channels amounts to undue interference in the work of the state broadcaster.

In a statement, the umbrella body of journalists in the country said the directive if complied by GBC could greatly affect its operations and existence.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa Suleimana Braimah has criticised the Minister for Communication Ursula Owusu-Ekufful for writing directly to GBC over the development.

He says the letter should have been directed to or had the National Media Commission copied since it is the regulating body of the State Broadcaster.

He also noted that the Communication Minister did not have the authority to issue a sixty-day ultimatum to the GBC to release its channels, as it was not a court of law.

The minister in a letter to the Director-General for the State Broadcaster explained the move was to free up space on the DTT platform which she argues is full.

She has also expressed displeasure with the GBC for not responding to their letter, but rather running to the NMC.

Speaking on the Morning Starr Thursday, Mr Braimah said “and if it is not because somebody wants to show power, everyone knows for example that the NMC is the body that exercises supervision and control over the state broadcaster. It appoints the governing board, it appoints by extension the Director-General, and anytime there is a vacancy, whether its the board or the Director-General, its the NMC that carries that mandate of ensuring that these vacancies are filled.”

Source: Starrfm.com.gh