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We won't sanction TV stations for showing porn - NMC

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, George Sarpong, said that currently media houses in the country cannot be sanctioned due to the regulatory regime currently in place.

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On Monday (June 12, 2017) two broadcasters reported three television stations – TV XYZ, Ice TV and Thunder TV – to the NMC for showing pornographic films on their channel.

Mr Tommy-Annan Forson and James Kwasi Oberko argued the showing of those materials is against the broadcasting standards for television stations irrespective of what time of the day they are shown.

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Many including the petitioners expect the NMC to penalise these media houses.

However, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, George Sarpong, said that currently media houses in the country cannot be sanctioned due to the regulatory regime currently in place.

“As at now, not within the regulatory framework that we have. That would have happened under the LI 224 but for now there is very little one can do in terms of sanctions,” he told TV3.

He said the only option they have is to dialogue with the said media houses.

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“But it doesn’t stop us from talking to them (defaulter) so for now we intend a conversation with them but sincerely, I don’t think anybody can expect anything beyond speaking to the conscience of the people.”

Mr Sarpong also explained that when the NMC passed a legislative instrument (LI 224) to properly regulate the media, the Ghana Independent Broadcasters’ Association (GIBA) did not support them and sought legal redress at the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court ruled that the said legislative instrument could only be used as guidelines but cannot be enforced under the law

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