Supreme Court stays implementation of new NMC law

Betty 11:10 - 21 April 2016

The new law by the NMC will require media owners to apply for content authorization and submit program guide for approval and go by a set of rules stipulated by the NMC or in default pay a fine or serve between two and five years in jail.

The Supreme Court has granted an injunction application by the Ghana Independent Broadcasting Association (GIBA) seeking to stay the implementation of the new law requiring media owners to seek content approval from the National Media Commission (NMC) before publication.

The injunction by the Supreme Court will remain till the final determination of a substantive suit by GIBA which is seeking it to strike out the new law by the NMC.

GIBA in their suit says the regulations are inconsistent with the 1992 Constitution which guarantees unfettered media freedom.

The regulations in contention will require media owners to apply for content authorization and submit program guide for approval and go by a set of rules stipulated by the NMC or in default pay a fine or serve between two and five years in jail.