General News of Saturday, 24 March 2012

Source: GNA

GIBA /GJA joint statement on government and multimedia group impasse

Government and officials of Multimedia Broadcasting Group Limited (MGL) have concluded a meeting called at the instance of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) on the recent decision of government to boycott the Multimedia platform.

A statement jointly signed by the GJA President Ransford Tetteh and Chief P. A. Crystal-Djirackor, President of GIBA, confirmed that government has lifted the embargo placed on Multi media and government officials will now make themselves available on the Multimedia platform.

Present at the meeting which lasted over three hours were, the Minister of Information, Hon. Fritz Baffour and his two Deputies, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Ms Valerie Sawyerr, the President of GJA Ransford Tetteh, General Secretary Bright Blewu, Mrs Linda Asante Agyei, the Treasurer and Mathias Tibu the Public Affairs Officer.

GIBA was represented by the President Chief P. A. Crystal-Djirackor, Mr Akwasi Agyeman and Mr Charles van Dyck both members of GIBA.

The MGL was also represented by Mr Kwasi Twum, the Chief Executive Officer, Klaus Von Backustein, the Chief Operating Officer of Asempa & Adom FM, Miss Mary-Ann Acolatse, the Managing Editor of Multi TV and Mr Elvis Quarshie, the Managing Editor of Joy FM.

GIBA and GJA thanked both teams for the opportunity to discuss the issues whilst the government side reiterated its commitment to expanding the frontiers of media freedom.**