Government suspends "boycott" of Multimedia

Peacefmonline.com can confirm that government has rescinded its decision to boycott all Multimedia Ghana Limited(MGL) broadcasting networks.

The boycott affected seven media houses- Joy FM, Adom FM, Luv FM, Nhyira FM, Asempa FM, myjoyonline.com and Multi TV.

Sources have disclosed to Peacefmonline that the decision to rescind the boycott was taken after several hours of deliberation at a crunch meeting held between management of MGL and Government which was called at the instance of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA).

According to information the government will be represented on Newsfile, JoyFM's news analysis programme that also airs on Multi Tv on Saturday and other stations which were affected by the ban.

The Government of Ghana officially announced its decision to boycott all programs run by media houses operating on the license of the MGL on Tuesday, March 20th.

A Deputy Information Minister, James Agyenim Boateng, said among other considerations, the media group had not been fair to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

But it appears a peace-pipe has been smoked.

Read below a joint statement signed by the GJA President, Ransford Tetteh and the President of the GIBA after the three hour meeting.

GIBA /GJA JOINT STATEMENT ON GOVERNMENT AND MULTIMEDIA GROUP IMPASSE

Government and officials of Multimedia Broadcasting Group Limited (MGL) have concluded a meeting called at the instance of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) on the recent decision of government to boycott the Multimedia platform.

GIBA and GJA thanked both teams for the opportunity to discuss the issues. The Government side reiterated its commitment to expanding the frontiers of media freedom. MGL also listened to the concerns of Government, and GIBA and GJA expect that the media and government will continue to dialogue.

The statement confirmed that government officials will now make themselves available on the Multimedia platform.

Present at the meeting which lasted over three hours were, the Minister of Information, Hon. Fritz Baffour and his two Deputies, Messrs. Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa and James Agyenim Boateng, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Ms. Valerie Sawyerr, the President and General Secretary of the GJA, Messers. Ransford Tetteh and Bright Blewu, the President and his Vice, and Executive Council Member of GIBA, Messrs Chief P. A. Crystal-Djirackor, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman and Mr. Charles VanDyck.

The MGL was represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Kwasi Twum, Klaus Vonbackustein, the Chief Operating Officer of Asempa & Adom FM, Ms. Mary-Ann Acolatse, the Managing Editor of Multi TV and Mr. Elvis Quarshie, the Managing Editor of Joy FM.

SIGNED: Ransford Tetteh - President, GJA and Chief P. A. Crystal-Djirackor - President, GIBA