“Be extra careful when you have to go undercover” – NMC tells journalists
A statement from the NMC is urging journalists to comply with due process, but only circumvent them when they absolutely have to
The National Media Commission has urged journalists to be circumspect and extra careful when resorting to undercover methods to report on issues that “override the national interest”.
In a statement signed by the Executive Secretary, George Sarpong, the Commission noted that it is important for journalists to comply with due process, but may circumvent these processes only when they absolutely have to.
The statement was released in response to a petition by Accra-based Citi FM/Citi TV following the manhandling of Mr. Caleb Kudah on 11th May 2021.
Mr. Kudah told Citi FM/Citi Tv that he had been “slapped several times” after he was picked up. The National Security arrested him for illegally filming some abandoned MASLOC vehicles at the Ministry of National Security.
Additionally, a heavily armed team of SWAT officers were dispatched to seize Caleb’s colleague, Zoe Abu-Baidoo Addo for receiving the videos.
The National Security came under heavy public fire over the unorthodox means it employed to pick up Zoe as well as the physical abuse and reports of ethnocentric prejudice meted out against Mr. Kudah.
In its response, the National Media Commission condemned the incident, noting that the invasion of Citi FM and Citi TV’s premises were all “wrongful”.
The Commission has also invited further “review of laws relating to security and media especially those about prohibited areas within the context of the Constitution. Dennislaw News would monitor this development and provide updates as and when they develop.
Read the full statement from the NMC below;
