The “entire saga” of the Montie Three reflected the extent to which radio had been “trivialised” and the depths to which journalistic standards had fallen in the country, renowned broadcaster Kwami Sefa Kayi has said.
For him, the decision to grant some persons free access to “the power of the media” to make unsavoury remarks against justices, for which they were subsequently incarcerated, was “almost depressing” and should not be allowed to happen again.
The Montie Three, as the trio – Salifu Maase, Godwin Ako Gunn, and Alistair Taro Nelson – were known, were convicted for contempt by the Supreme Court for insulting and threatening some justices of Ghana’s apex court on June 29, 2016 on Pampaso, a political talk show on Montie FM. They were each handed a four-month jail term in addition to a GHS 10,000 fine. However, following appeals by pro-government officials and groups, including the signing of a petition book by ministers of state among others, President John Mahama, invoking his powers under Article 72 of the constitution, granted the three remission after almost a month in prison.
But on the last edition of Multi TV’s Newsfile for 2016 on Saturday December 24, Mr Kayi, who is also host of Kokrokoo on Peace FM, said the whole development was an “embarrassment” for all Ghanaians and was “easily” his “lowest” point for the year.
“My lowest point was the entire saga of the Montie 3. It’s a lesson to all of us in how not to do some things,” he told show host Samson Lardy Anyenini, saying the circumstances surrounding the matter and how it all ended left him with a “sunken feeling”.
“Never again should we – those of us on radio, television, those of us in the media – use the power of the media to so denigrate, malign and insult people to the extent that a whole Supreme Court had to come in…and then the theatre that happened afterwards that culminated in a sitting president remitting their sentence… I just hope it never happens again.”
He continued: “…That’s what really gave me the lowest low... I think it was an embarrassing moment for all of us – journalists, politicians, ordinary, everyday Ghanaians, judges. It’s a blot on our conscience, I think, a very big blot."
Source: classfmonline.com
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Illiteracy and wisdom is killing some Ghanaian. For me, I do not see nothing wrong with Kwame's wisdom. No wonder the Bible says "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge......" I believe JDM himself has learned lessons from this.
This is very simple, another petition book have to be opend for us to sign for them to continue with the rest of their 4month jail term.Their so call father JDM has been defeated overwhelmly and for now there no work for them to do for the next 20years.unfurtunatly for them they can not travel outside the country becouse they have insulted most of the high commisioners in their respective places.
Eii, I find it really difficult to believe that there still remain some followers of the N D C who have not learnt from the election results that Ghanaians can no longer be taken for granted.The numerous projects and the big cash induced crowds could not stand the decerning minds of the majority of Ghanaians. I wish they could change their ways.
IT EVEN BAFFLES ME HOW ANY SANE PERSON WILL ATTACK KWAME FOR EXPRESSING VIEW OF HIS LOW POINT OF 2016 POLITICAL SCENE.I FULLY AGREE THAT MOST NDC SUPPORTERS LACK BASIC UNDERSTANDING OR PROBABLY THEY HAVE TOO MANY ILLITERATES FOLLOWING THEM BLINDLY OR FOR THE SAKE OF THEIR STOMACH
Look at this corrupt junkie ffool.who the fork are u kwamivi sefa? U and Kwaku baako are most corrupt so-called journalists in ghana. It's radio gold which made u who u are today but can continue to talk down on them.ungrateful soul
hmmmm, me I want to ask a question ooo.. is the Montie 3 the only LOW of the year 2016 ??? in anycase, what did they even do at all ???? and who is Kwame Sefa Kayi ??? for him to have a low ?? pls which is the high for him.. ALMIGHTY SENIOR JOUNALIST..... I only asked a question oo, so pls, respond to me only if you have a sane answers.. no illiteracy here i beg you guys.. thanks....
@ pete a'dam or what ever your name is masa this time we will much you ppl boot for boot paaaaa mark my words. Go and tell koku,kofi adams and your ***barred word*** master to apologise to Ghanaians wae. No CHAIRMAN GENERAL NO political talk show on radio wati anaaaa. And once again to obaapa adwoa safo if you can't spell don't right OK.
see who is talking about low journalistic standards! Ahhhhhhhh! Next time when somebody is arrested we will see is that will not be termed "Gagging the press" Now its muntie so its low. we live to see. Afua pokua and the rest will be beaten again by this administration again.
I THOUGHT YOU WOULD SAY SOMETHING ABOUT KENNEDY AGYAPONG WHO IS ALSO '' VERY LOW'' TO OUR DEMOCRACY.I THINK HE DOESN'T ''FIT'' WHERE HE IS NOW.
@ obaapa adwoa safo you foo.oool paaaaa no wonder you support ndc and listening to that foo.ooools montie station only foo.ooooooooools use to listening to that Mugabe and co. If you dare insult CHAIRMAN GENERAL again you will see what I will do to you. Ndc fooooour NKWASEAFOOOOOOUR excluding Papa J.