Accra (Greater Accra), 14th July 99 ?
Parliament on Tuesday continued the debate on a private member's motion moved by Nana Akufo Addo, the Minority Spokesman on Constitutional and Legal Affairs about one month ago.
Nana Akufo Addo is asking the National Media Commission (NMC), the governing bodies and the management of the State-Owned Media (SOM) to take immediate steps to ensure that the SOM comply with the Supreme Court's judgment.
In its ruling delivered on November 30, 1993, the court ordered that SOM grant "equal time, space and access to the activities of all registered political parties".
Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, the Majority Chief Whip has amended the substantive motion, and is suggesting that instead, the Commission should rather investigate whether SOM had actually carried out the order.
Contributing to the "part-heard" motion, Papa Owusu-Ankomah, the Minority Spokesman on Communications and Member for Sekondi was of the view that if proper rules, regulations and guidelines are laid down to govern the activities of the SOM, they would be bold enough to analyse issues critically, fairly and objectively.
Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, NPP-Offinso North, said looking at the motion as it stands, one would conclude that the NMC has failed to perform its constitutional duty.
Dr Apraku wondered why the need for an amendment to the substantive motion, which enjoins the Commission to investigate the matter.
He pointed out that Mr Adjaho "is begging the issue", because the NMC cannot be made to investigate itself and, therefore, urged the House to reject the amendment motion.
Dr Apraku stated that in trying to build a democracy that is durable, there is the need to lay down fair and unbiased rules and regulations for the efficient and effective operation of SOM.
Mr Eugene Atta Agyepong, NPP-Abetifi, said he does not see the import of the amendment motion and, therefore, described it as "superfluous and incongruous" to the original one.
Contributing in support of the amendment motion, Mr Abuga Pele, NDC-Chiana/Paga, pointed out that what the mover of the substantive motion seeks to achieve is virtually impossible and impracticable.
Mr Pele said Nana Akufo Addo has brought before the House a motion that is not practical to do. "The motion is an illusion and attempts to achieve what has not been achieved anywhere in this world".
In the member's view, it is not only the SOM that should ensure fair and unbiased reportage but the constitutional responsibility of both the private media and the SOM to give equal access to all divergent and dissenting views and opinions.
Mr I K Nyame Ofori, NDC-Sefwi-Wiawso, said, the SOM cannot manufacture news items for political parties but rather report on their activities as and when they organise functions.
Squadron Leader Clend Sowu (rtd), NDC-Anlo, said it would be highly impossible for one to expect the SOM give equal and fair treatment to the activities of both the minority parties and the ruling party when their activities are not equal.
Mrs Margaret Clarke Kwesie, Minister of State and MP for Ga South urged political parties to make news so that newspapers could fill their pages without being forced to do so.
She called for the withdrawal of the substantive motion and the retention of the amendment so that the NMC could investigate and report back to the House.
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