A former flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alan Kyerematen has condemned the attack on the studios of UTV on Saturday October 7, 2023 by persons associated with the party.
Mr Kyerematen says, “the incident is a wanton display of arrogance of power and indiscipline, issues that have hindered our progress as a nation for far too long.”
“I strongly condemn yesterday’s attack on members of UTV Ghana’s United Showbiz programme, which is a blatant violation of Freedom of the Media and Free Speech- two fundamental principles enshrined in our Constitution,” he said in a press release dated October 8, 2023.
According to Mr. Kyerematen, who will run as an independent candidate in the 2024 presidential election, “Our Constitution, particularly Article 162, strongly safeguards the independence of the media, and vehemently opposes any interference or harassment based on editorial opinions, views, or content.”
The leader of the Movement for Change commended the swift response of the police in addressing this incident.
“It is of utmost importance that we protect and uphold the media’s independence and hold those responsible for this attack accountable. I call for the immediate and just prosecution of all individuals involved, as we must resoundingly convey that such actions have no place in our democratic society,” he stressed.
Mr Kyerematen noted that “a free and independent media is the cornerstone of a thriving democracy. It is our collective responsibility to uphold and protect these principles, which are essential to our progress as a people.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Information says the right to freedom of expression and the freedom of the media are key pillars of democracy and must be fiercely protected.
The Ministry said this in condemnation of the attack on the studios of UTV, a local TV station based in Accra during a live broadcast on Saturday evening.
“The Ministry condemns in no uncertain terms, any unauthorized entry into media organizations in protest at media content or interference with media work,” a press statement dated Sunday, October 8 and signed by the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said.
The Minister disclosed that, “The Ministry made a report to the Ghana Police Service to intervene during the attack when the Media Monitoring Centre was notified of the authorized invasion of the studio by some thugs to express their displeasure over the content of the live program.”
“The Police subsequently arrested 16 persons at the premises of UTV, and investigations are currently ongoing,” the statement added.
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah encouraged “the media, especially broadcast media show hosts and panelists, to do their utmost to help promote national cohesion even as they exercise their fundamental freedoms.”
The National Media Commission has also condemned the attack.
Late Saturday evening, the Ghana Police Service arrested 16 persons who allegedly attacked and disrupted operations on the premises of UTV.
According to the Police, the arrest was necessitated by a complaint from the Despite Media Group and Ministry of Information that the suspects had invaded the studios of UTV.
“They are currently at the Police Station assisting investigations,” the Police noted in a statement posted on its social media handles.
This incident occurred on Saturday, October 7, 2023, during the live broadcast of the United Showbiz programme.
Soon after show started, it was disrupted.
Videos posted online later revealed that a group claiming to be affiliated with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) forcibly stormed the studio during the live broadcast.
They wanted an apology from one of the panellists, A-Plus. They contended that the former sympathizer of the party now turned critic, had shown disrespect to the party, President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Bawumia.
After the incident, the hostess of the show MzGee, apologised for the disruption.