Indecent Expressions On Radio Go Up After Election Petition Verdict

The latest findings from the Media Foundation for West Africa�s (MFWA) language monitoring show that the use of indecent expressions on radio went up during the week of September 1 � 7, 2013 (the week after the Verdict). Monitoring during the week recorded 16 indecent expressions as against a total of 14 indecent expressions recorded during the two (2) preceding weeks. On a week-on-week basis, the 16 indecent expressions recorded is the highest incidence of indecent expressions on radio since the monitoring began on August 1, 2013. Affiliates and sympathisers of the main opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) were the most abusive on radio. With regard to radio stations, the Accra-based Oman FM registered the highest incidence of indecorous expressions and was closely followed by the Techiman-based Classic FM. Findings on Category of Expressions Used The 16 indecent expressions were recorded on 161 programmes monitored on all 26 target radio stations. Almost all the indecent expressions were recorded during discussions and analysis related to the Verdict by the Supreme Court. The 16 indecorous expressions cut across three (3) categories of expressions: Insulting and Offensive Comments (10), Provocative Remarks (4) and Innuendoes (2). Expressions used and Political Party Affiliation A total of 13 out of the 16 indecent expressions recorded were made by affiliates and sympathisers of three (3) political parties � New Patriotic Party (NPP), Convention Peoples� Party (CPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC). The remaining three (3) inappropriate expressions were made by individuals whose political affiliation was not known. Affiliates of the NPP, however, recorded more than half (10) of the 16 indecent expressions recorded. Culprits of Indecent Expressions Recorded Three individuals used more than one indecent expression on air. They are: - Mr James Kwabena Bomfeh (Kabila), former National Youth Organizer of the CPP - Mr Yaw Adomako Baafi, member of the NPP Communications Team - Mr Alhassan Suhuyini, Host of Alhaji and Alhaji on Radio Gold Below are the names of the individuals who used indecent expressions (including those named above), the radio stations and the dates on which the expressions were made: Insulting and Offensive Comments 1) Mr Akwasi Kyei, Subin Constituency Communications Director of the NPP � on Kessben FM�s morning political discussion programme, Maakye/Amasan Tie aired on September 2, 2013 2) A caller from Ejiso Besease who identified himself as K. Kusi and a sympathizer of the NPP � two (2) on Classic FM�s Big Breakfast Show of September 3, 2013 3) A caller who identified himself as Moro Issah (a.k.a bayere kooko) and an NPP sympathizer � on Classic FM�s Big Breakfast Show of September 3, 2013 4) Mr Chris Dugan of the NDC � on Space FM�s Morning Flight programme aired on September 3, 2013 5) KK, an NPP supporter who was introduced as a member of the Ghana Peace caucus � in an interview during Oman FM�s Midday News aired on September 4, 2013 6) Agya Abraham (a.k.a. Double Critical) � on Adom FM�s Burning Issues of September 4, 2013 7) Mr James Kwabena Bomfeh (Kabila), former National Youth Organizer of the CPP � on Oman FM�s Boiling Point aired on September 5, 2013 8) Mr Yaw Adomako Baafi, a member of the NPP Communications Team� on Oman FM�s National Agenda aired on September 5, 2013 9) Mr Alhassan Suhuyini, Host of Alhaji and Alhaji on Radio Gold, read out an offensive text message from one Atanga on the Alhaji & Alhaji programme aired on September 7, 2013 Provocative Remarks 1) Mr Yussif Danjumah of the NPP � on North Star FM�s Morning Show of September 3, 2013 2) A caller who identified himself as Moro Issah (a.k.a bayere kooko), a supporter of the NPP � on Classic FM�s Big Breakfast Show of September 5, 2013 3) James Kwabena Bomfeh (Kabila), a former National Youth Organizer of the CPP � on Oman FM�s Boiling Point programme of September 5, 2013 4) Hon. Maxwell Kofi Jumah, Former NPP MP for Asokwa Consituency � on Oman FM�s National Agenda of September 6, 2013 Innuendos 1) Mr Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, Executive Director of Danquah Institute, an NPP member � on Citi Eyewitness News of September 4, 2013 2) Mr Alhassan Suyihini, the Host of Alhaji and Alhaji on Radio Gold, read out a text message containing innuendoes from someone whose name was not even provided on the Alhaji & Alhaji programme aired on September 7, 2013. Note: As a policy, the MFWA does not publish the indecent expressions recorded. This is informed by the fact that rebroadcasting the specific indecent expressions will amplify such expressions and their potentially negative ramifications. The specific expressions made by people cited in our reports are, however, available at the MFWA. Radio Stations and Categories of Expressions Recorded A total of eight (8) radio stations registered indecent expressions with Oman FM once again registering the highest (5) and closely followed by Classic FM(4). During the monitoring period, only one moderator, the Host of Radio Gold�s Alhaji & Alhaji programme, was cited for airing indecorous text messages. It is quite unfortunate that the incidence of indecent expressions on radio has gone up after a four-week (August 1 � 31, 2013) consistent reduction. The rise, to a large extent, can be attributed to the fallouts of the Election Petition Verdict. However, the MFWA entreats all Ghanaians to be circumspect in their choice of words as the debates and analyses of the Verdict continue. Decency and decorum on the airwaves must be of keen interest to all.