"My documentary was not misleading, the report of the CNG regrettable"

General News of Thursday, July 25, 2019

Source: citinewsroom.com

2019-07-25

Joy News reporter Manbadeh Azure Awuni is not satisfied with the decision of the National Media Commission (CNG) on his documentary entitled "The militia at the heart of the nation".

According to him, the decision was unfortunate and inappropriate.

While expressing his concern, the journalist claimed that, although he had provided the CND with all the facts about the documentary, he could not understand why the commission had criticized his work.

"The report is very unfortunate because we presented facts to the National Media Commission, but decided to keep only two questions and presented what I consider to be a very disturbing report that does not suit the status of the Commission. national media, "he said. on eyewitness news.

He insisted that, although he used a different photo to promote the documentary, this act alone can not be used to discredit his work.

"… ..And there is a hbadle on the picture of the archive. If this photo that was used for the online promotion was false and is not included in the documentary itself, you can not rely on this photo and describe the documentary as a whole as not respecting journalistic standards. He defended.

In March 2019, Joy News produced a documentary claiming that the state was complicit in the formation of a supposed militia that used the former seat of government, Osu Castle, as a venue d & # 39; drive.

After the request, the CNM said the documentary went against the GJA Code of Ethics, although the interest in the group operating from the castle is in the public interest.

In particular, the Commission stated that the use of certain photos and sequences in the documentary was not properly related to the original subject of the story.

"In the end, the Commission discovered that the attempt to expose the fact that the group operated from the castle was in the public interest. However, in the attempt, the investigation did not comply with the ethical standards set by the Ghana Journalists Association Code of Ethics, in particular Guideline 23, according to which "a journalist shall ensure that photographs and multimedia content adequately reflect an event and do not do so. highlight an incident out of context, "said the Commission in its report.

The play was presented at a time when political violence was raising concerns.

Political parties were under the microscope after the violence that marred the partial election of Ayawaso West Wuogon.

The documentary sought to establish a connection between a group operating at Osu Castle, De-Eye, and the threat of self-defense groups.

Following the premiere of the documentary, the substance of the video was the subject of controversy and whether the footage used in the play reflected what was suggested in the narrative.

The government later condemned the documentary and described it as misleading.

He subsequently petitioned the CNG on the issue