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Below is the full report on findings of the sixth week of monitoring. MFWA�S REPORT ON INDECENT LANGUAGE USE ON RADIO � WEEK SIX This report covers the sixth week (May 6-12, 2012) of monitoring language use on radio, a project being undertaken by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) with funding from STAR Ghana. The project is aimed at promoting issues-based and decent language campaigning in this year�s elections. A total of 51 monitoring reports were received on 28 out of the 31 radio stations being monitored under the project. Ten of these reports contained indecent expressions which were captured on seven radio stations. General Findings on Expressions used The eleven monitoring reports which contained indecorous expressions had a total of 19 indecent expressions. The breakdown of the 19 indecent expressions is as follows: � Insulting and offensive comments (11) � Unsubstantiated allegations (4) � Innuendoes (3) � Expressions promoting divisiveness (1) Expressions used by Discussants and their Political Party Affiliation Eighteen of the 19 indecent expressions were made by supporters/affiliates of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC). However, those made by officials/supporters of the NPP accounted for more than half (52.6%) of all the indecent expressions recorded. The breakdown is as follows: � NPP: 10 indecent expressions � NDC: 7 indecent expressions � PNC: 1 indecent expression � Affiliation not established: 1 indecent expression Table 1 below details the specific indecent expressions made and the political affiliation of those who made them Table 1: Type of Indecent Expressions used by Political Party Affiliation Type of Expression Political Party Affiliation of Discussants NPP NDC PNC Affiliation not established Total Insulting and Offensive Comments 5 4 1 1 11 Unsubstantiated Allegations 1 3 - - 4 Innuendoes 3 - - - 3 Comments/expressions promoting divisiveness 1 - - - 1 Total 10 7 1 1 19 Below are the names of the individuals who made the indecent expressions and the platforms on which they made them: Insulting/Offensive Comments 1. Mr. Ahmed Karim Bediako of the NPP� during a Newspaper Review programme on Ura Radio aired on May 7, 2012 2. Hon. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, NPP MP for Manhyia Constituency � during Fox FM�s Morning Drive programme of May 8, 2012 3. Mr.Kwabena Senkyire of the NPP � on Fox FM�s Morning Drive programme of May 8, 2012 4. Mr.Akwesi Ofori Agyemang (Zuba) of the NDC � also on Fox FM�s Morning Drive programme of May 8, 2012 5. Mr.Boaben Asamoah of the NPP � on Kessben FM�s Maakye programme aired on May 9, 2012 6. Mr. Chris Dugan of FONKAR (a group within the NDC that supports former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings) � two expressions on Classic FM�s Big Breakfast Show aired on May 9, 2012 7. Mr. Kofi Adoma Wawani, a news anchor of Adom FM�s Evening News aired on May 10, 2012, read a text message that contained an insulting/offensive comment from a listener whose name was not even mentioned. 8. Mr. Abu Ramadan of the PNC � during Oman FM�s Boiling Point programme of May 8, 2012 9. NiiKwartei Titus-Glover of the NPP � during Oman FM�s Boiling Point programme of May 10, 2012 10. Mr. Ernest Owusu-Bempah of FONKAR � also on Oman FM�s Boiling Point programme of May 10, 2012. Unsubstantiated Allegations 1. Mr. Ishmael Butler of the NDC � during Kessben FM�s Maakye programme of May 8, 2012 2. Alhaji Bature of the NDC �in an interview on Kessben FM�s Maakye programme aired on May 12, 2012 3. Mr. Chris Dugan of FONKAR � on the Big Breakfast Show programme of Classic FM which was aired on May 9, 2012 4. Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover of the NPP � during Oman FM�s Boiling Point programme aired on May 10, 2012 Innuendoes 1. Mr. John Donyina of the NPP � on Classic FM�s Big Breakfast Show aired on May 9, 2012 2. Mr.Hopeson Adoye of the NPP � on Oman FM�s Boiling Point programme of May 8, 2012 3. Mr. Ahmed Baba of the NPP � during Hot Issues on North Star FM on May 11, 2012. Divisive Comments � Mr.Adomako Baafi of the NPP �during Oman FM�s Boiling Point programme of May 8, 2012.One of his comments was also an unsubstantiated allegation. Two people were found to have used more than one indecent expression. These were: Mr. Chris Dugan of FONKAR and Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover of the NPP. Mr. Chris Dugan who was cited as making three (3) of the indecent expressions recorded last week, again made three (3) of the indecent expressions this week. Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover, who also made five (5) of the indecent expressions recorded last week, made two of the indecent expressions this week. It is worth noting that as a policy, the MFWA has decided not to publish the indecent expressions people make since it will amount to rebroadcasting of those remarks. The MFWA has been urging radio stations to desist from the replay of indecent expressions on their networks since they tend to amplify such expressions and their potentially negative ramifications. Thus, the rebroadcasting of the specific indecent expressions recorded in this monitoring exercise will amount to the same inappropriate action. The specific expressions made by people cited in our reports are, however, available at the MFWA. Expressions used on Specific Programmes/Subjects Political discussion programmes aired in the morning and evening/night were once again found to be the main programmes on which indecent expressions were recorded. Approximately three out of every four of the indecent expressions were recorded during morning and evening/night political discussion programmes. Majority of the indecent expressions recorded were captured during discussions that mainly centred on internal wrangling in the ruling NDC with a specific focus on Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings� claim to the NDC logo and matters arising after the close of the biometric registration. Expressions used on Radio Stations The 19 indecent expressions were captured on seven radio stations. Six of the indecent expressions were recorded on Oman FM, four on Classic FM, three each onFox FM and Kessben FM and one each on Adom FM, North Star FM and Ura Radio. Table 1 below details the specific indecent expressions made on the respective radio stations: Table 1: Radio Stations on which Indecent Expressions were recorded Radio Station Types of Expressions Used Insulting and offensive comments Unsubstantiated Allegations Innuendoes Expressions promoting divisiveness Total Oman FM 3 1 1 1 6 Classic FM 2 1 1 - 4 Fox FM 3 - - - 3 Kessben FM 1 2 - - 3 Adom FM 1 - - - 1 North Star FM - - 1 - 1 Ura Radio 1 - - - 1 Total 11 4 3 1 19 The monitoring also captured an indecent insinuation by Mr.Eugene Antwi, NPP National Council Member, against the President, Prof. Atta Mills, and his professorial status on Hello FM�s Akoko Abon programme of May 12, 2012 which was aired live on Peace FM. Conclusion The MFWA appreciates the fact that almost all radio stations do not use delayed broadcast equipment. We are, therefore, recommending to all hosts/presenters to insist on the use of decent language by people (discussants/callers/interviewees/texters) who appear on their programmes. The MFWA is also calling on the leaders of the various political parties to encourage their representatives to focus on issues-based discussions and desist from using indecent expressions. Issued by MFWA in Accra on May 24, 2012 The MFWA is a regional independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Accra. It was founded in 1997 to defend and promote the rights and freedom of the media and all forms of expression.