This is nonsense; irresponsible journalism – Sulemana Braimah tackles radio station

Executive Director of the Media Foundation for  West Africa(MFWA), a media development and freedom of expression non-governmental organisation, Sulemana Braimah, has accused a Kumasi-based radio station, Akoma FM, of engaging in irresponsible journalism after a viral of two ladies in the studio of the radio station exchanging vile insults and trading accusations went viral.

According to Mr Braimah whose organization, the Media Foundation for West Africa, has been at the forefront of fighting for media freedom and freedom of expression in, mainly, the West Africa sub-region, irresponsible media practice, as in the case of Akoma FM, is the biggest threat to media freedom.

“Dear Akoma 87.9 FM in Kumasi, how is this journalism? Is this your way of providing information, education and entertainment? Irresponsible media practice is the biggest threat to media freedom,” Mr Braimah reacted to the viral video.

He then called on the media regulator, the National Media Commission, to crack the whip before journalism in Ghana loses its essence.

“I hear a lot more stations are into this kind of nonsense in the name of journalism. It’s time to get the regulator working before journalism becomes just anything,” he added.

Many radio stations have similar programmes, relationship shows, where people in romantic relationships who have challenges come to wash their dirty linen in public with the active prompting of the show hosts. Aggrieved parties often end up insulting one another and on rare occasions becoming physically violent.