The National Media Commission (NMC) wishes to express deep shock and profound sorrow at the passing of all crew and passengers, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister of Defence and Alhaji Dr. Muntala Mohammed, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, on the Ghana Air Force helicopter.
The rest are: Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Dr Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairperson of the National Democratic Congress, Samuel Aboagye, Former NDC Parliamentary Candidate, Squadron Leader Peter Befemi Anala, Flight Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
We recall, as we mourn, the healthy working relationship the Commission had with Dr. Omane Boamah when he was the Minister of Communications.
The NMC urges both mainstream and social media, as well as the general public, to be circumspect in the dissemination of information concerning this national tragedy.
We wish to remind the Media about Article 7.2 of the NMC’s Print Media Guidelines on Grief, which states, “in cases involving bereavement, personal grief or shock, the press must show compassion. Publication must he handled sensitively at such times”.
The NMC wishes further to remind all media practitioners of the Code of Ethics of the Ghana Journalists’ Association and to demand adherence to provisions, in particular to Articles 12 and 16.
The NMC wishes to highlight Article 16, which states that “in cases of personal grief, distress, journalists should exercise tact and diplomacy in seeking information and publishing”. The NMC unreservedly condemns the circulation of gory pictures and videos on all social media platforms, which violate the sensibilities and dignity of the deceased and the bereaved families, and may worsen the distress of the latter.
In addition, we urge all members of the public to stop publishing, posting, or sharing such materials as a show of respect for the dignity of the departed.
