The National Media Commission (NMC) in collaboration with the National Communications Authority (NCA) has launched a toll-free number to receive complaints about offensive broadcast content.
The platform provides the public an opportunity to report to the NMC any content such as money doubling schemes, money rituals, and alcohol advertisements on television or radio which they consider as appalling for immediate action within 30 days by the media regulator.
The Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah speaking at the launching held in Accra, noted that the toll-free number 0800-419-666 was activated to receive complaints on offensive media content to help clamp down on the menace.
According to him “The menace of money-doubling, open promotion of ritual murders, alcohol advertisements during the day, and other offensive contents have been on the rise on our broadcast platforms.
He added that “If we want to preserve our sanity against these menaces, we need to guard what keeps the media space safe. This toll-free number gives the public the power to report these contents for the necessary action to be taken by the NMC,” he stated.
Mr Oppong Nkrumah reiterated that the platform would ensure media practitioners put out content that conforms to the GJA Code of Ethics, NMC guidelines for media practitioners, and other professional requirements, thereby averting the broadcast of unwholesome content.
He, however, cautioned the NMC against using the platform to suppress freedom of expression saying that “this tool should be used fairly, justly and transparently when the need arises.”
The Director-General of the NCA, Joe Anokye, said the broadcast contents complaints center was designed to equip the communication regulator with the tools to enforce regulatory compliance.
He noted that concerns about “egregious contents” in 2021 resulted in an MoU between the two institutions to collaborate to deal with the challenge, adding that it will led to the development of the Broadcast Monitoring Centre which monitors 13 satellites.
Currently, 168 TV stations and 50 radio stations are being monitored adding that the staff has been trained to receive and process the complaints.
-BY Daniel Bampoe