THE National Media Commission (NMC) is now empowered to register all newspapers and publications printed in or imported into the country. The empowerment takes effect from June 11, 2003. This follows the passage in Parliament of the Newspaper and Publication Registration Instrument, 2003 C.I. 39.
The Constitutional Instrument is in accordance with Article 167 (d) of the 1992 Constitution which empowers the National Media Commission "to make regulations by Constitutional Instrument for the registration of newspapers and other publications, except that the regulations shall not provide for the exercise of any direction of control over the professional function of a person engaged in the production of newspapers or other means of mass communication”.
By the Constitutional Instrument:“ A newspaper or any publication which is printed in the country shall be registered with the commission by its proprietor within (30) thirty days of first publication” and “ A person or representative of a newspaper or publication printed outside the country who imports the newspaper or publication into the country shall register the newspaper or publication with the commission within thirty days of the first importation”.
In addition, the instrument states that: “A person who owns or prints a newspaper or publication shall within (30) thirty days of the coming into office of this instrument register the newspaper or publication with the commission in accordance with the provisions of this instrument”.
It further provides sanctions for non-compliance or breaches of the law.
These were contained in a release signed and issued in Accra yesterday by the acting Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission, Mr Joseph E.T Dottey. The release also stated that all persons who own newspapers or publications or import them into the country are to take note and act accordingly.
