Multimedia, CEO sue Ken Agyapong for defamation

• Posted on September 1, 2021September 1, 2021
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

The Multimedia Group, its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kwasi Twum, and one of its subsidiaries, Joy FM, are heading to court today, Wednesday, September 1, over “repeated false and defamatory statements” made by Assin Central Member of Parliament Kennedy Ohene Agyapong on his radio and television stations in July.

A statement on Wednesday announcing the decision said “Joy FM, The Multimedia Group and the Chief Executive Officer, Kwasi Twum have been compelled and have taken a firm decision to afford the MP, his media organization and three (3) of his employees, the opportunity to prove the allegations in court”.

The suit concerns allegations made by the firebrand MP on his Net 2 Television and Oman FM stations on July 2, 9 and 19 about Joy FM’s Ashanti Region correspondent’s reportage on the Ejura disturbances.

When he was cautioned by the media house through its lawyers on Tuesday, July 13, Ken Agyapong turned the heat on the CEO and Joy FM.

“Joy FM the drugs that were used to establish your firm if you joke I will expose you,” the Chairman of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee had said. 

“Jones is not dead, I will show you people where you used to send the drugs.”

But The Multimedia Group’s statement said the broadcasts and publications “falsely sought to portray the plaintiffs as unethical, unprofessional and criminal”.

“The broadcasts and publications as well as associated defamatory commentary have been carefully and meticulously gathered and formally transcribed and translated.

“Our lawyers are under firm instructions to sue to clear our names.”

The suit also cites two online news organisations as defendants for circulating and re-publishing the allegations “without care or any attempt to verify” the statements.

“We assure all concerned; our cherished audiences, stakeholders, clients, as well as family and friends, alumni of The Multimedia Group and associates of the CEO who have and continue to reach out to us, that our lawyers will today file the suit,” management of the media station said in the statement.

“We appreciate your patience and unrelenting support in this pursuit to vindicate our rights, reputations and business.”