Sixteen people were arrested Saturday for allegedly invading the studios of UTV to disrupt a live entertainment show in demand for a representation on the panel.
According to the police, the arrest was made in response to a complaint from the Despite Media Group and the Ministry of Information that the accused had stormed the UTV studios on Saturday evening.
“They are currently at the police station assisting investigations,” the police indicated.
The suspects, who claimed to be members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), said the host had turned “United Showbiz” into a political show, prompting their demand that the studio host grant them a spot to reflect the party’s interests.
Reports said the agitated youth stormed the studio to confront Kwame Asare Obeng aka A Plus, who is a regular panel member on the show.
Subsequent videos shared on social media of the extraordinary act depicted that all the invaders were young men, who called out for A Plus.
NPP Letter
The NPP recently wrote to management of UTV, expressing concern about the panelists on the United Showbiz programme, who frequently criticise and mock the government.
The party said that this happening raises concerns about the programme’s objectives and that there has been an unjustified rise in insulting comments directed at President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in recent episodes.
During the broadcast, A Plus, a regular panelist on the show, read a copy of the letter and strongly condemned the content as well as the appropriateness of its release.
He described the letter as “useless,” arguing that such letters continued to degrade the NPP’s reputation, potentially compromising the constitutional provision regarding media independence.
This action might have infuriated the supposed NPP supporters, prompting them to storm the studio.
It was gathered that a loud noise disrupted the show shortly after it began, leaving viewers astonished and anxious.
The show immediately went off the air, and advertising took its place.
Information Ministry
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Information has condemned in no uncertain terms the unauthorised entry by the young men into studios of the UTV and any media organisation, in protest at media content, or interference with media work.
“The right to free expression and the freedom of the media are key pillars of our democracy and must be fiercely protected,” Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said in a statement released later.
He said the ministry stands with the police and the courts in the conduct of their duties.
“The Ministry wishes to encourage the media, especially broadcast media show hosts and panelists, to do their utmost to help promote national cohesion even as they exercise their fundamental freedoms,” he, however, noted.
NPP Condemnation
The ruling NPP has also distanced itself from the young men’s invasion of UTV studios and condemned the action, claiming no involvement.
“It has come to the attention of the leadership of the New Patriotic Party an unfortunate incident that occurred last night (Saturday) at UTV involving some sympathisers of the NPP who went to the studio to raise a protest against the United Showbiz programme.
“We wish to state forcefully that the said act was not sanctioned by the party, and we apologise unreservedly to UTV, the programme team, and the general public,” the party said in a statement.
The statement signed by Richard Ahiagbah, NPP National Communications Director, said the right of citizens to free speech is one of the cardinal values of the party, and “we are committed to its advancement.”
“The proper way for anyone to express any concerns over any programme by any media house would be to make a formal complaint,” the statement added.
It asserted that advancing in numbers to interrupt the work of any media house was unacceptable.
“The Ghana Police Service is currently investigating the matter, and the party intends to cooperate fully with the investigators to deal with the matter expeditiously,” the statement pointed out.
By Ernest Kofi Adu