GBC withdraws White Chapel advertisement

Accra (Greater Accra), 16th June 99 ?

The National Media Commission (NMC) says it has noted with satisfaction the decision of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) to withdraw a White Chapel advertisement found to be in bad taste.

A statement from the Commission on Tuesday signed by Nana Essilfie-Conduah, Executive Secretary, said the withdrawal was at the instance of the Commission following public disquiet that reached it about the said advertisement.

The statement said the GBC board "unanimously agreed that the advertisement was in bad taste and directed that it be withdrawn from Ghana Television screen immediately".

However, the board expressed fears about other stations carrying the advertisement and requested the Commission to have a broader advertising policy to pre-empt recurrence.

The statement said the Commission has been seriously concerned about advertisements that are culturally unacceptable and offend public and group sensitivities.

It assured the general public that it will not relent in its efforts to ensure that unedifying commercials and films are neither screened, broadcast, nor printed in the media throughout the country.

NMC called on all operators and media practitioners to exercise self-censorship in such matters.