Attack on UTV: Police Arrest 16 Persons
The police have arrested 16 suspects for allegedly invading the studios of United Television Ghana (UTV), a subsidiary of Despite Media.
They were among dozens who stormed the television station on Saturday, October 7, 2023, to interrupt the United Showbiz live programme- a weekly entertainment programme.
The police say they effected the arrest after a complaint by the media group and Ministry of Information.
A statement from the police on Saturday evening read, “Following a complaint from the Despite Media Group and Ministry of Information that certain people had invaded the studios of U-TV this evening, the Police proceeded to the scene and arrested sixteen (16) persons in connection with the incident.”
Call for Modification
The NPP on September 19 wrote to the Management of UTV registering their displeasure at what they called the lending the programme to serve the interest of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“The programme now frequently features intemperate language, unconstructive rants and outright insults directed at the Presidency by panelists. This has become a recurring pattern that raises the question of whether the show has inadvertently transitioned into a political talk show,” a portion of the letter said before calling for balance in representation.
On the 30th September edition of the programme, a panel member on the show, Kwame Asare Obeng known as A-Plus appeared shredding the letter in pieces.
He criticized the NPP’s attempt to dictate the pattern for the programme and indicated that it was not a political show.
The youth found the conduct of the panel member disrespectful and therefore stormed the station on the next edition to demand his removal from the show.
NPP Reaction
Meanwhile, the NPP has distanced itself from the conduct of the gang.
“We wish to state forcefully that the said act was not sanctioned by the party, and we apologise unreservedly to UTV, the programme team, and the general public.”
In a press statement on Sunday, the party condemned the action saying, “Advancing in numbers to interrupt the work of any media house is unacceptable, and we condemn it.”
It added, “The right of citizens to free speech is one of the cardinal values of our party, and we are committed to its advancement. The proper way for anyone to express any concerns over any programme by any media house would be to make a formal complaint.”
It also disclosed its intention to cooperate with the investigators to “deal with the matter expeditiously”.
Condemnation
So far opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), the, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and other Ghanaians have condemned the action of the youth.
In a statement, the GJA characterized the attack as “barbaric” and called on the police to up their game to arrest the rest of the perpetrators and subject them to prosecution. It also called on the stakeholders to join in condemning of the act.
The NDC also issued a statement calling the action “shameful”.
“There can be no place for such uncivilized and beasty conduct in a democracy,” it said.
