Government rescind decision to boycott Multimedia platforms

The Government on Friday rescinded its decision to boycott Multimedia platforms and asked its officials to make themselves available on Multimedia platforms.

This was after government and officials of Multimedia Broadcasting Group Limited (MGL) had concluded a meeting called at the instance of Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) on the recent decision of government to boycott the Multimedia platform.

A statement jointly signed by Mr Ransford Tetteh, President of GJA and Chief P. A. Crystal-Djirackor, President of GIBA confirmed that “government officials will now make themselves available on the Multimedia platform.”

“GIBA and GJA thanked both teams for the opportunity to discuss the issues. The Government side reiterated its commitment to expanding the frontiers of media freedom. MGL also listened to the concerns of Government, and GIBA and GJA expect that the media and government will continue to dialogue.”

Present at the meeting which lasted over three hours were, the Minister of Information, Mr Fritz Baffour and his two Deputies, Mr Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa and Mr James Agyenim Boateng, Deputy Chief of Staff, Ms. Valerie Sawyerr, President of GJA, Mr Ransford Tetteh and General Secretary, Bright Blewu, President of GIBA Chief P. A. Crystal-Djirackor, his Vice, Mr Akwasi Agyeman and Executive Council Member of GIBA, Mr Charles vanDyck.

The MGL was represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Kwasi Twum, Klaus Vonbackustein, Chief Operating Officer of Asempa and Adom FM, Ms Mary-Ann Acolatse, Managing Editor of Multi TV and Mr Elvis Quarshie, Managing Editor of Joy FM.

The Government in a statement on its decision among other things said “For more than three years, we have been at the receiving end of unfair and bias conduct from Multimedia.”

Source: GNA