Captain Smart arrested, NMC warns NMC warns Onua FM and TV
Ace broadcaster and host of Onua TV’s morning show Blessed Godsbrain Smart, popularly known as Captain Smart has been arrested by the Nima Divisional Police Command today, Thursday, December 2, 2021.
On why he was apprehended, the Ghana Police Service explained that Captain Smart was apprehended for making “some unsavoury pronouncements that hinge on peace and security”.
The broadcaster has thus been warned on the offence of offensive conduct that disturbs the peace as provided under section 2017 of the Criminal Act, 1960 (Act 29), a statement from the Ghana Police Service revealed, adding that he is in their custody, aiding them with investigations into the matter.
Meanwhile, the National Media Commission has called management of Onua FM and TV to order, expressing disappointment at the stations’ management for looking on while some of their broadcasters display unprofessional behaviour by making some pronouncements that tend to threaten the peace and security Ghana is enjoying.
According to the NMC’s statement on Thursday 2nd December 2021 “on the morning show on Onua FM/TV, Captain Smart was heard allegedly inciting the Ghana Armed Forces against Members of Parliament and also calling on them to stage an uprising.”
“Where we have reached, we require an uprising with positive defiance. I am even shocked at Ghana’s soldiers. You can enter Parliament when MPs are being sworn in, but when MPs are fooling, you can’t enter Parliament. Everybody is quiet in this country,” Captain Smart.
The Commission has cautioned the media house that they have “crossed the line of robust and critical broadcasting.”
The NMC also added that the radio station by its action has transformed into a “megaphone of war”.
“Part of your broadcast raises concern for the peace and security of the country in a manner that demands immediate regulatory action. We are particularly concerned about a recent broadcast in which ‘Captain Smart’ calls for insurrection against the state of Ghana and its institutions.”
“While that particular broadcast, without more, constitutes adequate grounds for regulatory action, we still retain the belief that given the chance, management could take steps to bring your content unto a level of professional acceptability. We are fortified in this belief by the fact that considerable parts of your other broadcast, including the news, offer that hope.”
It said the radio station by its action has transformed into a “megaphone of war”.
“We will be glad if you noted that exercising the required professional caution is in your interest,” it added.
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
