Why Haven't You Passed The 'Broadcast Bill'? - Arnold Baidoo Blasts MPs

Entertainment Journalist, Arnold Asamoah Baidoo has called on the lawmakers to pass the broadcast bill to control the influx of inappropriate contents on media stations in Ghana.

The tragic death of an 11-year old boy named Ishmael Mensah has ignited discussions on the activities of spiritualists and fetish priests who have crowded TV screens and radio stations.

The young boy was murdered by two teenagers aged 16 and 17 at an uncompleted building in Kasoa, Central Region.

The teenagers reportedly committed the murder for money rituals.

It is believed the teenagers may have been inspired by the avalanche of advertisements and programmes on TV and radio showcasing fetish activities and people who claim to have magical powers to double money.

Discussing the issue on Peace FM's entertainment show ''Entertainment Review'', Arnold Baidoo bemoaned the delay in passing the broadcast bill, stressing it is a panacea for this menace.

He took a jab at the Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah for claiming the National Media Commission (NMC) has the power to ensure the establishment and maintenance of higher journalistic standards in the mass media, which is to say the NMC can prevent a station from showing fetish contents.

'' . . which one is the journalistic standards?'', Arnold asked. 

According to him, the National Media Commission (NMC), the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) and the National Communication Authority (NCA) can do nothing without a specific law backing them to shut down stations that refuse to uphold appropriate journalistic standards but rather feed the public with unsuitable contents.

To him, the right thing the Minister should do is to propose the passage of the broadcast bill into law.

" . . what is important is the broadcast bill. Until we get it, our saving grace is the classification; at least it will streamline it a little bit," he stated.