Despite Media Releases Press Statement On Attack On UTV

Despite Media has released a press statement over the attack on UTV during the United Showbiz program on Saturday, 7th October, 2023.
In the statement, Despite media condemned the attack on the media house and made it clear that such attack is against media and press freedom. The media house promised to take all security and legal measures to make sure that such occurrence doesn’t happen again.
They also promised the staff of the media house that their safety is their priority and they will do everything to keep them safe always.
They also revealed that some leading members of the NPP have apologized to the media house on behalf of the intruders.
Below is the full statement from Despite Media.
“On the 7th of October, 2023, our Premises were invaded by a group of people who identified themselves as sympathizers or members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). This group further disrupted our live program, United Showbiz, for which reason, the program was halted for almost an hour.
However, with the timely intervention of the Police, peace and order was able to be restored. We are therefore grateful to the Police Administration, particularly the IGP for their assistance. We will continue to collaborate with the authorities to bring those responsible for this incident to justice.
We condemn this act of violence and vandalism as it violates our Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms, and the Independence of the Media as enshrined under Chapters 5 and 12 respectively of the 1992 Constitution of our country. We are deeply concerned about this event and we are diligently taking all security and legal measures to prevent the reoccurrence of this unfortunate incident.
We understand that this event has caused concern amongst stakeholders and we want to assure all that, we are taking all the necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of our workers, guests, properties, clients and the interest of all other stakeholders.
We also wish to reassure our employees that we are here for you and will put in place all the necessary measures to ensure your safety at the workplace. We understand that this event may have caused some distress or anxiety amongst our working team but we want to assure you of Management’s support during this time.
We have also had a visit from the General Secretary and some leaders of NPP, who have apologized on behalf of the intruders and condemned the act. They have assured us of the non-occurrence of such an act again.
To our viewers and all other stakeholders including the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), National Democratic Congress (NDC), the leader of The Movement for Change, National Media Commission (NMC), Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and other well-wishers, we appreciate the love and support shown us.
We are committed to our values and principles as an Independent Media House and we will not be deterred by unethical and disturbing activities. Our priority is to continue providing quality news and programs while ensuring the safety and security of all stakeholders. We will continue to maintain an impartial and non-biased editorial stance while providing a safe and secure platform for diverse views and opinions to be expressed. Thank you all for your support
This comes after a group of individuals purportedly affiliated with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) stormed the studios of UTV, causing an abrupt halt to the live broadcast of the popular show, United Showbiz
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The shocking incident unfolded approximately seven minutes into the program.
Reports that emerged following the disruption of the show suggest that the intruders had entered the studio with hostile intentions. Their primary objective seemed to be confronting Kwame Asare Obeng, widely known as A Plus, a regular panel member on United Showbiz.
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Subsequent videos shared on social media portrayed a chaotic scene within the UTV studio, with several men loudly demanding A Plus’s presence.
“We are waiting for A Plus today… A Plus has to explain to us why he tore our paper from the NPP party. We are here, we are waiting for A Plus. We are protecting our party property,” one of the men can be heard shouting in the studio