The New Patriotic Party says it has with immediate effect boycotted all political programmes on two radio stations owned by the Despite Group of Companies.
The NPP in a statement issued on Sunday April 3, 2016 accused Okay FM and Neat FM of “consistently discussing all matters of the NPP with a negative slant”.
“The New Patriotic Party (NPP) wishes to inform its members, supporters, and sympathisers that the Party has decided to boycott all political programmes on Okay FM and Neat FM, with immediate effect,” the NPP said.
According to the party, “The mission and vision of the stations currently seem to be to destroy the NPP.”
Below is the full statement
NPP BOYCOTTS OKAY and NEAT FM
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) wishes to inform its members, supporters, and sympathisers that the Party has decided to boycott all political programmes on Okay FM and Neat FM, with immediate effect.
Programs on the two stations which are hosted by Kwame Nkrumah Tikesie and Adakabre Frimpong Manso respectively have in recent months developed a format to consistently discuss all matters of the NPP with a negative slant. These programs have also concentrated on encouraging submissions which denigrate and insult the Party and its Flagbearer.
Several letters, phone calls and face to face discussions between us and other management members, the producers and host of the programmes, to desist from this unethical practice of journalism have gone unheeded.
The mission and vision of the stations currently seem to be to destroy the NPP.
The NPP is a firm believer and practitioner of multi-party democracy, with freedom of expression as its cornerstone, but the Party also believes in the exercise of this freedom with responsibility, and in this case, professionalism.
Party executives, communications officers and members have been advised to desist from speaking or patronizing the stations political programs with immediate effect.
...Signed...
Anthony Abayifaa Karbo
(Deputy Director of Communications)
DESPITE GROUP RESPONDS
Management has had a long standing policy of providing a platform for the Ghanaian public to air their views on the various programs we host. As a company we stand to be neutral and do not in any way manipulate our audience when we offer them our platform.
Since we commenced operations in the media industry, we have tried as a station to maintain our neutrality regardless of the political heat in the country at any given time. We do not intend nor have thought of creating a politically biased station in Ghana as we do understand the consequences of such a decision.
We appreciate you prompting us on your observations regarding two of our hosts, Kwame Nkrumah Tikesie and Adakabre Frimpong Manso. Management would ensure that our programs are in the larger interest of the Ghanaian public and not any political party.
It is our hope that you review your decision to boycott Okay FM and Neat FM. Our doors are always widely opened to you as we all contribute our quota to develop our nation.
Signed
Management
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