Ghana’s Broadcasting Sector to Get Major Overhaul as Minister Sam George Announces Committee

The Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, has announced plans to establish a committee to develop a clear roadmap for broadcasting reforms in Ghana. This move aims to enhance the quality of media and broadcasting in the country, ensuring that the industry operates in a manner that promotes professionalism, credibility, and public trust.

The committee, which is expected to be established by next Friday, will review proposals and engage with stakeholders to define a new policy direction for the broadcasting sector. The primary objective is to recommend a regulatory framework for the upcoming Broadcasting Bill, which will guide reforms in media governance and accountability.

The committee will explore two options for regulating the broadcasting industry:

Consolidating Mandates: Merging the mandates of the National Media Commission (NMC) and the National Communications Authority (NCA) under a single regulatory body.

Converged Regulation: Strengthening the existing dual structure through a converged regulation model.

The committee will collaborate with major industry players, including the NMC and NCA, to ensure that the new regulatory framework is effective and beneficial to all stakeholders. The committee will also engage in extensive consultations with stakeholders across the media landscape, including journalists, broadcasters, and industry experts.

The committee is expected to be fully constituted within the next few days and will have a 30-days mandate to submit its final recommendations. Minister George emphasized the importance of taking a careful and considered approach, cautioning that “it’s essential that we don’t rush into amending the bill without a clear direction.”

The establishment of this committee represents a significant step forward in redefining Ghana’s broadcasting environment. With the growing scrutiny over standards, ethics, and public trust in both traditional and new media platforms, this initiative aims to promote professionalism, credibility, and public respect for journalists and broadcasters.