Sunday, July 26, 2009
Why all the haters?
I n I no like haters..
SUBJECT: BROADCASTING OF HOMOPHOBIC HATE SPEECHES BY BLAKK RASTA
Dear Sir/Madam,
The members of gayghana.com, a virtual civil society organisation, summon (or urge?) you to stop the programme of the so-called "Blakk Rasta" presentor (or show-host) immediately.
The show host "Blakk Rasta" is using your radio station to instigate violence and hatred against homosexual and bisexual citizens in Ghana. Although unfortunately a majority of the Ghanaian population, still disapproves of homosexual acts, the radio station management should be aware that inciting hate and violence is illegal. And it is unbecoming to misuse the Media - which are playing such an important role in the public education and democratic process in a country, for these illegal purposes.
Whilst in Ghana's laws (a relic of the colonial past) homosexuals are persecuted rather than protected against discrimination, a United Nations motion has been tabled recently to impress upon countries with discriminatory or insufficiently protective legislation, to respect the universal human rights and decriminalise homosexuality. Thus the international community is trying to make the - mostly sub-saharan African - states which are still in early stages of a process of democratisation, aware that universal human rights include the rights of all people, so also those of homo- and bisexual citizens.
Not withstanding the fact that the Ghana laws are not yet in line with the international treaties on Human Rights signed by its representatives, and ratified by its parliament, the International criminal court in The Hague does prosecute (even if it may be years later) those who incite violence. This also includes the media, as has been shown by the conviction of the people responsible for the hate speeches on the Mille Collines radio station in Rwanda during the genocide, who can not hide behind the "freedom of the press" if they are involving themselves in illegal activities.
The issue of whether your station policy is against or for homosexuality is not the issue we wish to raise with you. The issue is whether you agree with promoting hate and violence in a public forum such as your station. This issue we will also discuss with the companies sponsoring your radio station.
As the management of the radio station you are responsible for the content of the programmes you broadcast. That means you are liable for the illegal incitement to violence by "Blakk Rasta" (and for the open promotion of use of illegal substances (wee) by the same show host).
We call upon you to put an immediate stop to these illegal practices and publicly denounce the station managements support of the statements made on your station by "Blakk Rasta".
On behalf of the gayghana.org members,
Cordially,
