Veteran journalist Abdul Malik Kweku Baako has described JoyNews documentary, ‘Militia in the Heart of the Nation’, put together by Manasseh Azuri Awuni, as a “good piece of journalism that was good.”
Speaking on weekly Newsfile on JoyNews TV/Joy FM, Saturday, the Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, could not understand why the National Media Commission (NMC) would suggest that it is unethical to use a file image to depict what the documentary sought to unravel.
Mr Baako stressed that it is acceptable to use library images in the production of a documentary.
Again, on the use of video footage on the disturbances during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election, Mr Baako said it is standard practice in journalism and documentary.
“Relative to documentary production, I will find it difficult if that is classified as unethical,” the seasoned journalist argued.
He wondered whether the Commission members were familiar with what is entailed in the production of a documentary.“Is there a deficit on the part of the members of the panel relative to what goes into documentary production?” he asked.
Background
The government, through the Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, petitioned the NMC following issues it had with the online promo as well as the premiering of the documentary, which uncovered the existence of a ‘militia’ group, De Eye Group, operating from the Christiansborg Castle, Osu.
The government had premised the petition on some nine issues it enumerated following the production of the documentary.
The Commission in its findings faulted the media organisation on the use of a library video from the violence that characterised the Awawaso West Wuogon by-election, as well as an image –properly labelled so- describing it as unethical.
JoyNews has rejected the decision and insisted, there was nothing wrong with that.
Source: Adomonline.com | Additional files from myjoyonline.com
