The National Media Commission Condems Publication Of Picture Of Body Of P.V Obeng.

The attention of the National Media Commission has been drawn to the publication of the picture of the remains of the late P. V. Obeng, former Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission and the senior Presidential adviser, in the daily Guide edition of May 19, 2014 and on social media.

This publication is not only in bad taste but violates the right to dignity of the late Mr. Obeng and causes unnecessary distress to the bereaved family. 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 be handled sensitively at such times”.

The NMC wishes to state that there is no public interest justification for the publication of the picture which contravenes Article 12 of the Ghana Journalists’ Association Code of Ethics. It further violates Article 16 which states that “in cases of personal grief, distress, journalist should exercise tact and diplomacy in seeking information and publishing”.

Accordingly, the National Media Commission unreservedly condemns the publication in the Daily Guide and on Social Media and calls on the Ghanaian Media to respect the privacy of the bereaved family and the right to dignity of the deceased.

The NMC wishes to join Ghanaians in mourning the untimely death of Mr. P.V.Obeng and expresses its condolences to the bereaved family.

AMBASSADOR KABRAL BLAY-AMIHERE CHAIRMAN NATIONAL MEDIA COMMISSION