The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, popularly known as (COKA) has called for stronger collaboration between the party and media organisations in the Ashanti Region to promote issue-based political discourse and developmental discussions.
Addressing the media at a Press soiree in Kumasi, he urged media practitioners, particularly radio and television talk show producers, to discourage the use of insults and inflammatory language in political discussions, warning that such practices could lead to a decline in listenership and viewership.
COKA said he had instructed the party’s communicators in the region to focus on issues and policies rather than personal attacks and insults.
“I have told my communicators to practise issue-based politics rather than insults. When ever the NDC is in government they dont pay attention Ashanti development. therefore, I have told my communicators to do project comparism, policies among others not insults,” he said.
According to him, several radio stations, particularly those in Kumasi, could soon lose their audience if they continue to give prominence to political discussions characterised by insults.
The NPP Regional Chairman also appealed to radio and television talk show producers to work closely with the party’s Regional Director of Communications to ensure that appropriate party representatives are provided for discussions on their platforms in line with the party’s communication structure.
He assured media organisations in the region that his administration would respect media freedom and would not interfere with the work of other elected regional executives.
“Under my leadership, media freedom will be guaranteed. Press freedom will not be undermined in the Ashanti Region by the NPP under my chairmanship,” he stated.
Mr. Appiah said his vision was to see a new approach to media practice in the region, where developmental issues would dominate public discussions and be supported by facts rather than political insults.
“I want to see a new media practice in Ashanti where developmental issues will dominate media discussions with facts, but not politics of insults,” he said.
He further expressed his commitment to building a fruitful working relationship between the NPP and the media, describing the media as an important partner in promoting development and democratic accountability.
The NPP chairman also used the occasion to apologise to media houses in the region over what he described as shortcomings in the party’s relationship with the media while the NPP was in government.
“I want to use this opportunity to apologise to all the media houses in the region because it is obviously clear that we didn’t treat you guys well when we were in government,” he said.
He pledged to work towards strengthening the relationship between the party and media organisations and addressing areas where tensions or misunderstandings had developed.
Mr. Appiah said his administration looked forward to a “very fruitful working relationship” with the media as the party sought to promote responsible political communication and development-oriented discussions in the Ashanti Region.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
