{
  "id": 19291779,
  "title": "‘We are issuing out TV licences like Confetti’ — Ken Ashigbey",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/we-are-issuing-out-tv-licences-like-confetti-ken-ashigbey",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-10T05:50:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/we-are-issuing-out-tv-licences-like-confetti-ken-ashigbey/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Graphic Communications Group leader Dr Ken Ashigbey has criticized the distribution of television licenses, warning that merely funding media is insufficient to address the industry's sustainability challenges. During an interview on Joy News' PM Express, he advocated for reforms aimed at enhancing media business viability while establishing higher professional standards. Ashigbey expressed concern over constraints on media outlets' reach, arguing that such measures undermine organizations that require robust capacity to fulfill their roles. His comments arose from conversations surrounding journalist funding and a bill proposing enhanced job security, fair compensation, working conditions, and welfare. President John Mahama recently announced GH¢10 million in seed funding for the revived Media Development Fund in the 2027 Budget, designed to bolster journalists' welfare, training, investigative journalism, digital literacy, and safety initiatives. Ashigbey emphasized that the fund should be just one component of a broader strategy to establish a viable media sector. He contended that media organizations cannot rely solely on the fund as their primary revenue stream. \"We need to do that, but we also need to put in place the systems which will enable media businesses to prosper, which is the reason why you would have individuals well-versed in media management at the helm.\" He endorsed the proposal by National Media Commission Executive Secretary George Sarpong to monitor professional journalism via an index. According to Ashigbey, such a system would differentiate responsible journalists from those presenting themselves as such without the necessary qualifications. Support should incentivize responsible work and bolster self-regulation to tackle unprofessional behavior. For Ashigbey, funding eligibility should correlate with a recipient's track record of serving the public interest. \"They have shown that they are addressing matters of significance to our national development.\" He further called for a sustainable fund with a minimal, tech-assisted administrative team, envisioning just two or three individuals overseeing the process under a board composed of individuals from various backgrounds. The structure should ensure transparent distribution of support and attract additional financing. Ashigbey stressed that the wider reforms must retain space for entrepreneurs to operate media businesses commercially. Those enterprises should be capable of hiring staff, offering fair wages, and contributing to tax revenues. \"However, it is evident that this bill alone will not resolve the issue of a responsible, sustainable media entity.\"",
  "summary": "Former Graphic Communications Group boss Dr Ken Ashigbey has criticised the issuance of television licences, warning that media funding alone cannot fix the industry’s sustainability problems.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}