National Democratic Congress supporters in the Ashanti Region are accusing some journalists and media houses of bias in public discussions of national issues.
They allege that while some journalists openly speak in favour of opposition parties, some radio stations also deny NDC sympathizers access to the airwaves to express their views on political and social issues.
Under the umbrella of the NDC Serial Callers Association, the agitated party supporters say they will petition the National Media Commission over the matter. Members of the group arrived at the decision at a meeting in Kumasi.
According to them some media houses are so determined to promote the cause of minority parties that they frustrate NDC supporters who call into radio phone�in programmes. They cited Kessben FM, where they allege some of their members have been blacklisted and banned from calling into programmes to contribute to discussions.
They also accused the Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association, Nana Yaw Osei, and other executives of openly campaigning for political parties. They want the NMC to call such people to order.
Chairman of the Association, Alhaji Rabbiw Abdella in an interview with Nhyira FM�s Ohemeng Tawiah said the group may be compelled to sabotage some radio stations by asking officials of the party to boycott their programmes.
This is when all attempts to resolve the matter has failed.
Spokesperson of the group, Mohmmed Barri is unhappy at the high level of bias among some media houses and journalists in the region.
He warned that the association may run-down some radio stations in Kumasi for not being fair to the public.
�Some of them are very, very, biased�. sometimes when they open the phone segment; they give opportunity to NPP activists. Sometimes you can be on the line and they will cut it if they think you are going somewhere that will not help them�.
He also wants the Ghana Journalists Association and National Media Commission to bring some GJA executives in the region to order, especially its chairman for publicly speaking for NPP. According to Mr. Barri, the practice must stop.
�As a leading member of GJA, we don�t think you should be on radio and speak for a political party instead of being fair. I think its against the ethics of the GJA�, he explained.
Programmes Manager at Kesben FM, Omanhene Adu Boakye, expressed surprise at the group�s stance.
He told Nhyira News an indefinite ban on an NDC political commentator from the station is to ensure sanity and rid the airwaves of politics of insult.
�Everybody will say that when you come to Kesben FM, we are very fair when it comes to judgment� Here we don�t discuss personalities but we discuss issues�, Mr. Adu explained. Meanwhile the Ashanti GJA Chairman, Nana Yaw Osei has rubbished the group�s claims and dared it to go ahead and petition the NMC.
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