The Independent Media Commission (IMC) has conducted a formal hearing involving Radio Democracy 98.1 FM over alleged ethnic comments made during a recent broadcast of its flagship program, Good Morning Salone, aired on Monday, 19 May 2025.
The complaint centers around remarks made by a guest on the program, who is a representative of the public relations team of the opposition All People’s Congress (APC). The IMC convened the hearing to examine concerns that the broadcast may have breached media ethics and regulations regarding tribal and inflammatory statements.
Speaking during the hearing, Dr. Julius Spencer, Board Chairman of Radio Democracy, admitted that the station had erred in airing the comments without proper editorial control. He stated that the management has since implemented corrective measures to avoid similar incidents in the future. These include enhancing editorial oversight and increasing training for presenters.
Dr. Spencer also appealed to the IMC to provide capacity-building support to media institutions, especially through training programs aligned with the IMC Act of 2020 and the Media Regulations of 2022, to strengthen industry-wide adherence to professional standards.
The hearing was chaired by commissioner Sidikie Tommy Esq., and attended by IMC Chairman Joseph E. Kapuwa Esq. In his statement, commissioner Tommy emphasized the responsibility of media outlets to exercise heightened caution, particularly when featuring representatives of political parties, he warned against the dangers of allowing sensitive or divisive rhetoric to go unchecked on public platforms.
The committee reminded all media institutions of their duty to promote national unity and peace. Presenters and producers, they stressed, must maintain full editorial control over content, regardless of whether it is broadcast on radio, television, or digital platforms, the commission underscored that allowing politically charged or inflammatory commentary in the name of free expression undermines media professionalism and national cohesion.
The IMC reiterated its call for media houses to recognize the profound influence of their content on public perception and national stability, it reaffirmed its commitment to holding media accountable for upholding ethical standards and promoting messages of peace, unity, and development.
Moving forward, the IMC pledged to continue engaging with media organizations across the country to support ethical journalism and ensure the media remains a cornerstone of informed discourse and national progress.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Monday, May 26TH, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
