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The National Communication Authority (NCA) and the National Media Commission (NMC) have joined forces to address the issue of inappropriate and egregious content in the electronic media space. To achieve this, they have introduced a media content complaints platform called the Broadcast Content Complaints Centre. The purpose of this platform is to provide a channel for citizens to report or register their displeasure with any content they perceive as inappropriate, based on established guidelines.
The platform is designed to be accessible to everyone on all mobile phone service networks in the country. It can be accessed through a toll-free number, 0800-419-666. This initiative aims to tackle emerging challenges such as inflammatory speech, unprofessional conduct, the promotion of money-doubling schemes, sexual content during non-watershed hours, and content offensive to national security interests, among others.
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This collaborative initiative between the NCA and NMC is part of a memorandum of cooperation signed in 2021 to ensure that broadcast content is regulated and that it adheres to high standards of safety, ethics, and quality. It reinforces the commitment of both entities to promote responsible and respectful content in the media space.
The complaint center operates under the NCA's Broadcast Monitoring Centre (BMC), which was launched last year to monitor the transmission parameters of frequency modulation (FM) and television (TV) in the country. By integrating the complaints center with the BMC, the relevant authorities can stay informed about the happenings in the media space, archive available media content, and analyze complaints effectively based on clear criteria. This will contribute to a better and safer viewing experience for the public.
During the launch of the project, the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, commended the collaboration between the NCA and NMC. He highlighted the efficient utilization of scarce national resources through cooperative efforts, rather than duplicating initiatives. He further described the new platform as a pragmatic approach to addressing the increasing amount of inappropriate content, emphasizing its use of existing laws, guidelines, technology, and infrastructure.
However, Mr. Nkrumah also acknowledged the importance of balancing regulatory functions with the right to free expression of broadcasters, media practitioners, and the public. He emphasized the need to defend the right to free expression, even when one disagrees with the content, as it is a fundamental right in the country.
The Director-General of the NCA, Joe Anokye, emphasized that the complaints center was an integral part of the authority's digitalization drive, which has been ongoing since 2017. This initiative aims to improve the quality of service provided to the public.
According to Mr. Anokye, there was a significant increase in public protests against certain media content in June 2021. This necessitated the collaboration between the NCA and NMC to strengthen their efforts in purging the airwaves of content that is not suitable for public consumption. He expressed excitement about the collaborative efforts of the two government institutions and expressed openness to further collaboration with other entities, such as the Food and Drugs Authority.
The Chairperson of the NMC, Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, assured the media that the complaints center was not designed to repress or limit media freedoms. He reiterated the NMC's commitment to facilitating a free media environment. However, he emphasized the intertwined nature of freedom and responsibility, urging media practitioners to exercise their freedoms within the framework of the law.
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The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, welcomed the introduction of the toll-free mechanism. However, he iterated the association's vigilance in monitoring the platform. He emphasized that the GJA would strongly oppose any politically motivated attempts to curtail the freedom of its members.
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