Sixteen supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who invaded the studios of United Television (UTV), were yesterday convicted and sentenced to a total fine of GH¢38,400 – GH¢2,400 each by the Achimota District Court.
The convicts were arrested on October 7, 2023, after they invaded the studios of the private TV station to demand a representation on the station’s live entertainment show panel.
The arrest was made in response to a complaint by the Despite Media Group and the Ministry of Information that the convicts had stormed UTV studios on Saturday evening.
The suspects, who claimed to be members of the NPP, said the host had turned “United Showbiz” into a political show, prompting their demand to be allocated a representation on the panel.
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 invasion depicted that all the convicts were young men, who called out for A Plus.
They were later charged by the police for being on the premises of the media house for unlawful purpose, and arraigned before court yesterday.
The 16 all pleaded guilty to the charge proffered against them and they were convicted on their own pleas and sentenced to a fine of 200 penalty units each – GH¢2,400, in default they serve three months in jail.
They were also ordered by the court to sign a bond to be of good behaviour, a failure for which they are liable for six months’ imprisonment.
Earlier Reactions
The NPP recently wrote to management of UTV, expressing concern about the panellists 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 panellist 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.
Bot the NPP and the Ministry of Information later condemned the dastardly act of the invaders, both stressing the need to protect media freedom and freedom of expression.
The NPP also distanced itself from the act of the invaders, indicating that “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 added that “The proper way for anyone to express any concerns over any programme by any media house would be to make a formal complaint.”
The Ministry of Information, on the other hand, said “the right to free expression and the freedom of the media are key pillars of our democracy and must be fiercely protected.”
BY Gibril Abdul Razak