Accra:The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has voiced strong opinions on the state of Ghana's broadcasting industry, suggesting significant reforms are necessary. At a public forum in Accra, he expressed a desire to shut down politically and religiously affiliated media houses if he possessed the authority to do so.
According to Ghana Web, Samuel Nartey George questioned the necessity of nearly 700 radio stations and 120 television stations in a country with a population of about 35 million. He described the current situation as excessive and referred to it as "pure madness."
Sam George further criticized the influence of politically and religiously affiliated broadcasters, arguing that the current media landscape has shifted from media freedom to what he termed "media tyranny." He raised concerns about religious organizations allegedly circumventing legal restrictions by using proxy companies to obtain broadcast licenses, despite laws prohibiting religious bodies from owning broadcast houses.
Ghana's media landscape consists of a variety of public, private, and commercial television and radio stations, all regulated by the National Communications Authority. Sam George's remarks have sparked discussions about possible reforms in the broadcasting sector.