By Akosua Frema Frimpong
Political Talk Show Hosts of Accra FM and Power FM have been cited as the worst offenders in the use of indecent language on radio in the month of June 2024. These findings are contained in the June 2024 edition of the Media Foundation for West Africa’s language monitoring report released on 17th of July, 2024.
The report is the first in a series released by the Media Foundation for West Africa ahead of the December 7 general election.
The exercise aims to discourage the use of intemperate language, hate speech, and other forms of abusive language that foment divisiveness and polarisation to promote fact-based, sanitised political discourses ahead of the December election. The monitoring exercise was conducted from June 1 to June 30, across nine radio stations.
The exercise uncovered 46 incidents of indecent expressions. Accra FM recorded 22 and Power FM 11 out of the 46 indecent expressions.
These infractions were predominantly insulting and offensive during discussions on elections, security, corruption, and development projects.
The findings raise concerns about the role of show hosts, who are expected to moderate discussions and maintain decorum. In the light of these findings, the Media Foundation for West Africa has recommended that radio stations, particularly presenters and moderators, should abide by professional standards, refrain from indecent expressions, and ensure that their guests adhere to respectful, fact-based conversations. Also, programme moderators should establish and enforce clear ground rules on expression to maintain decorum on their shows.
Political party leaders should urge their representatives, affiliates, and communicators to prioritise issue-based discussions and avoid using indecent language.
