The National Media Commission (NMC) has issued a final warning to Onua Radio/TV and its presenter Captain Smart over what it deemed an inciteful broadcast.
In a press statement dated Tuesday, November 14, 2023, the NMC expressed concern over Captain Smart's direct insult towards the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) and other Commanders of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) during a recent broadcast, referring to them as “beasts.”
Furthermore, the NMC highlighted that Captain Smart made unsupported claims accusing these officers of embezzling funds meant for soldiers on peacekeeping operations. The commission labelled the broadcast as “dangerous” and “unprofessional.”
The NMC reminded Onua Radio/TV that a warning was issued in December 2022 regarding the station's promotion of violence against the state and the management's apparent lack of capacity to address the issue.
In the statement, the NMC gave Onua Radio/TV and Captain Smart until November 19, 2023, to take the following actions:
- Withdraw the insults and issue an apology to the CDS and his commanders.
- Apologize to the Ghanaian public for the use of vulgar language.
- Implement measures to halt the dangerous behaviour of the station and enhance its capacity for regulatory compliance.
The statement concluded by urging the station to undertake the necessary actions and provide evidence of compliance by the specified date.
