To him, it does not auger well for the governing party to boycott Multimedia platforms considering the role of the media in this electioneering year.
He explained that the option to boycott Multimedia networks may impinge on government’s chances of having a second term in office come 2013.
“I may have to support my government’s decision because I’m a member of the government but I think that I can have some reservations, some reasons why I think that it will not be the best decision for us as a political party or a government. And so, even though I will have to abide by whatever directive that is issued by government and the party, I still think that we could put out some voices to at least indicate or put across that the view [that] is not in best interest of the party and government.” he expressed.
He further said the Multimedia’s role is integral to the progress of government and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party since the networks serve as a channel of information to the electorates.
He urged government to rather utilize Multimedia avenues to project her good works to Ghanaians.
He noted “the platform on which we stand should be mounted by somebody for us to stand on and talk to the people. And you don’t expect the media houses to be somehow whether loyal or affiliated to you but what you need is for you to get the platform to speak to your people; let the people know what exactly that you are doing. So, I have said with my little experience in politics and my working relation with journalists, you don’t need a journalist friend but you need a journalist to push your agenda. And that is what we will be losing if we continue to push this position.”
Joseph Yamin was reacting to recent agitations of the ruling NDC against Multimedia Group Ltd.
The Deputy Information Minister,James Agyenim Boateng, in the stead of government has secluded all Multimedia networks from government activities and also warned to boycott their platforms.
Though Joseph Yamin calls for government to sanction Multimedia for what he describes as “unfair and unfriendly” treatment by Multimedia towards government officials, he appealed on Xfm on Thursday morning that there should be a better way to take a move against the media.
He said Multimedia will be adversely affected should they be excluded from government functions but their impact should not be underrated. The multimedia he indicated has a wide listenership and so, it is in the best interest of government to reconsider her decision.
He advised the governing party officials to sort out their differences with them (Multimedia) and ensure there is sanity in their relations.
“It could be a bargaining chip for you to get some sanity in terms of the programmes that we do there but to travel for a certain period of time, definitely will have an impact on whichever political party that is doing that…”
“…I am appealing that we soften our stance because I being part of the media for sometime know what the media is capable of doing. And as I said, you don’t need the media to be your friend; you don’t need journalists to be your friends but you need them to push your agenda and that is what we need to do now. So yes, they may not be sympathetic towards us, their platform is very [very] important for us as a political party and a government to push our message to the people.” he stated.
Story by Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/X fm 95.1/Accra/Ghana
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