Free Press Newspaper Ordered To Apologise To TV3 Boss

The Free Press newspaper has been given a two-week ultimatum to retract and apologise for a publication alleging that the General Manager of TV3 network was promoting the agenda of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). Mr. Nyantakyi logded a complaint against the paper for publishing in June last year that he was pushed into the job of General Manager of TV3 to promote the agenda of the NDC for the 2004 general elections.

The National Media Commission gave the directive after the former editor of the Free Press, Stephen Owusu, offered to withdraw the story and apologise to Mr. Kofi Nyantakyi of TV3. The paper further alleged that Mr. Nyantakyi was a member of former Vice President, Atta Mills’s campaign team and has been intimidating his reporters to do stories that favour the NDC.

However, Mr. Nyantakyi denied ever being a member of Professor Atta Mills’ campaign team saying he got his appointment on merit. He said programmes broadcast by TV3 are not intended to promote any agenda but to educate, inform and entertain the public. He added that the station promotes balanced reporting, fairness and freedom of civilised expression.