KWESI TWUM AND HIS MULTIMEDIA BEHIND DANIEL OSEI’S ATTACKS ON JOHN MAHAMA

Politicians are certainly biased and overtly so. They belong to parties and espouse policies and ideologies. And while they may think their individual ideologies and interests are simply common sense, they understand that they speak from political positions.

Journalists, too, speak from political positions but usually not overtly so. The journalistic ethics of objectivity and fairness are strong influences on the profession.But the journalistic objectivity is not the pristine objectivity of philosophy. Instead, a journalist attempts to be objective by a) fairness to those concerned with the news and b) a professional process of information gathering that seek fairness. I have no problem with media houses espousing ideological positions of their proprietors or taking ideological positions. But proprietors of these media houses should know that the press is often thought of as a unified voice with distinct bias. Extreme biases however could spark unnecessary tensions in the system.

The serial attacks on John Mahama on multimedia networks is the handiwork of Kwesi Twum and his managers. Blaming the attacks on Daniel Osei and other agents and issuing fake disclaimers is not only mischievous, but attempt to create tension in the NDC. The serial media attacks on John Mahama were orchestrated by Kwesi Twum and his criminal gang working for the Npp to always create tension in the NDC and to set individuals against individuals and individuals against institutions within the NDC. Kwesi Twum and his managers championed the attack and then issue fake disclaimer to set Ghanaians against John Mahama and the NDC. Adom FM has issued a statement distancing itself from Osei’s reckless pronouncements on Asempa FM. The disclaimer is an afterthought.

Who told Kwesi Twum and his managers that Mahama had travelled that Thursday? What stopped them from contacting CiTiTV or CitiFM for the video of the former president after the presentation of his letter of intent? The video and pictures taken at the post presentation ceremony captured in detail what transpired at the place that very day. AdomFM and its affiliate outlets must reflect upon known journalistic practice by noticing that the they apply a narrative structure to events in order to create a coherent and casual sense of events. Citi FM and CiTiTV gave their viewers and listeners factual, objective and balanced stories while Kwesi Twum’s Adom and its affiliate outlets presented unfounded and biased stories to their listeners to cause disaffection and misunderstanding.

A journalists accepting money, or a gift including drinks in exchange for positive news coverage violates his or her trust with the audience. We expect that journalists operate with their best interests at heart. Can Kwesi Twum vouch for his men and ladies.? Will he feel comfortable if the public begin scrutinizing the morals of his workers? A story is worthy of coverage because it benefits the public in some way- not because of a gift the reporter has received. Journalistic bribery is a common practice among multimedia journalists, some public relations practitioners and other persons complain that they have to play the game in order to get coverage of their products, company or event. They feel powerless to change the situation because the proprietor himself [Kwesi Twum] is the chief architect of this unethical practice. We have many journalists who are experts in the “alcohol consumption” business so could have easily detected the stupidity and propaganda in Daniel Osei’s presentation if they had feasted they eyes with the video CiTiTV showed which was latter shown on many networks. Presentation of a letter of intent to contest the NDC Presidential candidate race is not a fun fair business and that is not the occasion to rest popularity. The starters may need such occasions to sell themselves and that is their right. Ghanaians are hungry and aggressively calling for the return of John Mahama – his presence at the headquarters will not subside the pain Ghanaians are going through.

Joy 99.7 FM
EKOSII-SEN ON ASEMPA FM 94.7
National Media Commission, Ghana
Roland Affail Monney