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BNI has no mandate to advise media on decorum - Lawyer

The BNI in a statement on their invitation of the two radio panelists who threatened judges on Accra-based Montie FM, said it “... further observes that thus far, several electronic and print media outlets have become notorious for their intemperate vituperations, personal attacks, and outright insults, among others.

 

According to him, the BNI has no mandate to issue out such an order to media houses considering such roles should be performed by the National Media Commission or the Ghana Journalists Association.

The BNI in a statement on their invitation of the two radio panelists who threatened judges on Accra-based Montie FM, said it “... further observes that thus far, several electronic and print media outlets have become notorious for their intemperate vituperations, personal attacks, and outright insults, among others.“This is a serious security concern that we will not allow festering,” the statement added.

But Stephen Frimpong Manso argues that in terms of rule of law, the BNI is going beyond its bounds.

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“Let us consider the fact that the BNI works in harmony with other security agencies, but I was expecting this not to have come from the BNI but from the other ones, for example, the police because this issue borders on criminality and when it comes to criminal offence, I believe the police plays a dominant role,” he told Radio Ghana.

He added that “When it comes to the issue of the media, well also they can be advised, as they did, but whether that is their mandate is my issue. Is it the BNI to advise the media to really be decorous?” he asked, adding that “That is a challenge and I believe that the right thing must be done.

“I think they [BNI] should be given the opportunity to be educated on some of these issues so that they don’t go beserk,” he said.

The law lecturer further argued that the GJA and the NMC have failed to ensure sanity on the airwaves, making it possible for agencies such as the BNI to intervene.

He said the way forward is for stakeholders in the media fraternity to come out with a strategic plan, which will coordinate the activities of all media houses, especially during this election season.

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