MFWA questions Adakabre, Tikesie’s continuous stay on air

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has questioned the continues stay on air of two radio presenters, Kwame Nkrumah Tikesie and Adakabre Frimpong Manso of Okay FM and Neat FM respectively, after they publicly apologized to NPP’s flag bearer Nana Akufo-Addo for any inconvenience they might have caused him in the discharge of their duties.

According to the Executive Director of MFWA, Sulemana Braimah, their apology is an admission that they deliberately knew that they were doing something wrong, adding “if so on what basis will they continue to be on air, how can we trust that these are people will continue to do things that are credible, trustworthy and balanced in whatever they do, I think there are more questions to answer”.

Owners of the two radio stations, Despite Group and the two presenters have apologized unreservedly to the largest opposition party leader Nana Akufo-Addo indicating that they have never intended to paint a negative picture of the three-time flag bearer.

Their apologies came after the NPP issued a directive to its communicators to refrain from patronizing the two stations; Okay FM and Neat FM, because according to them, they “consistently discuss all matters of the NPP with a negative slant.”

According to the political party, all attempts to ensure a balanced representation of the NPP on the stations have proved futile hence the directive.

“Several letters, phone calls and face to face discussions between us and other management members, the producers and host of the programmes, to desist from this unethical practice of journalism have gone unheeded,” the statement added.

“The NPP is a firm believer and practitioner of multi-party democracy, with freedom of expression as its cornerstone, but the Party also believes in the exercise of this freedom with responsibility, and in this case, professionalism.”

However, speaking to TV3, Sulemana Braimah insists the Despite Group should not have apologized to the NPP as an apology meant an acceptance that its presenters erred.

He said the NPP should have channeled its grievances to the National Media Commission (NMC) if it was convinced that it had a good case against the two presenters.

“If you’re slandered or libeled, we all encourage people to take up the matter to the NMC, did the NPP report the issue backed by specific allegations proving the fact that these gentlemen are being unethical and targeting the NPP, I doubt that was done. What kind of investigations did Despite group itself do to come to the conclusion that well… our Journalists may have been wrong and we must apologize”.

Sulemana Braimah emphasized the need for journalists and media houses not to allow themselves to be used by politicians as it robs them of their credibility which is crucial in the practice of journalism.