The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has boycotted the Peace FM’s Kokrokoo morning show amidst claims of “unfair representation” from producers and host of the show.
Information from producers and host of the show also say otherwise. They are reported to have said the NDC requested the media house to prevent leading member of the party, Allotey Jacobs, from representing them as their party communicator. They have demanded his exclusion from the show’s Wednesday panel.
READ MORE: We have boycotted Kokrokoo, not Peace FM – NDC clarifies
Deputy General Secretary of the party, Peter Boamah Otukonor, has said on Happy98.9FM that the party’s decision to “boycott the Kokrokoo show will not affect their communication efforts” regardless of how big the platform is.
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This statement was made on the Happy Morning Show with host, Samuel Eshun.
According to him, there are many alternative shows out there which will equally host NDC communicators and carry their messages across to the Ghanaian populace.
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He noted that the fundamental law of journalism mandates the media to fairly represent all parties and if that is not done, media outlets are not acting professionally. “We are helping them to do their work well. The interest of listeners is important than the editorial interest of the show”.
Peter Boamah Otukonor also mentioned that the party boycotting a singular show of the media outlet does not mean they will not appear on other shows of the station.
READ MORE: NDC suspends Allotey Jacobs over anti-party conduct
Many Ghanaians, including co-host of the Happy Morning Show, Raymond Nyamador, have called on the NDC to redraw their decision to boycott the Kokrokoo show saying, “I feel that consensus building is important because the NDC needs every platform for the 2020 presidential bid”.
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Roland Affail money, President of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) has also urged both parties to settle their differences. He noted that both the media outlet and the NDC could be affected if they don’t. “Many media consumers in reality are the NPP and NDC, and if you ignore them, you are losing a chunk of your listenership. The Media’s role is to advance the course of democracy which the NDC also needs. So the two parties need to resolve their issues otherwise both parties will be affected”.
