Dormaa Ahenkro (B/A) Dec 29, GNA - Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu 11, Omanhene of Dormaa Traditional area in Brong Ahafo has urged media practitioners to focus on nation-building and not to encourage programmes that could polarize the nation and derail her young democracy.

"The media being the Fourth Estate of the realm cannot be left to engage in practices that are inimical to the laws of the land," he said. Osagyefo Agyeman was addressing the management and staff of Gifts FM private radio station at Dormaa Ahenkro, who called at the Abanpreduase palace to wish him good tidings of the Yuletide and the New Year.

The Omanhene asked journalists and other media practitioners to operate by the ethics of the profession and the provisions of the national constitution.

He noted that total commitment to the ethics and good display of patriotism could only be attained when journalists are prepared to subjugate their partisan and parochial interests to those of the nation. Osagyefo Agyeman urged the management and staff of the radio station to make conscious effort to encourage the transmission of worthy programmes to help curb the increasing menace of youth indiscipline in the area.

He pledged the Council's unflinching support for media organizations in the area provided they strictly followed the rules and regulations guiding the practice of journalism. Mr. Francis Kwadwo Boahene, director, said the radio station aimed at filling the hitherto yawning communication gap that existed between Dormaa and the rest of the world, apart from offering employment.

He appealed to the council to assist the station to check its pitfalls and to bring it to order if it operated inappropriately. The team paid a similar visit to the Queenmother of the traditional Area, Nana Akosua Fima Dwabeng, who urged the station to introduce more programmes on women empowerment and girls' education.