By Abu M. Monor
The National Media Commission (NMC) issued its decision on a prominent case brought by Adamus Resources Limited alongside its CEO, Ms. Angela List, targeting ModernGhana.com and Class FM in Accra. Since the plaintiffs claimed the reports were false and harmful toward Ms. List, the outcome included firm guidance meant to support honest reporting across Ghana’s media landscape.
In a press release issued on November 27, 2025, the Commission stated its Complaints Settlement Committee met on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, everyone involved attended. The NMC described the session as respectful yet productive; still, it followed serious claims.
At the meeting, staff from ModernGhana.com stated clearly they had not reached out to Ms. List or Adamus Resources before publishing disputed reports. Some material came from the Ghana News Agency (GNA), which they considered trustworthy at the time, still, they recognized it was not enough justification. While GNA was seen as reliable, they agreed personal checks should have been done anyway.
Class FM admitted it did not check facts prior to broadcast or release. Still, the outlet failed to explain why, leading the Commission to call it a clear lapse in basic reporting standards.
The respondents also stated that once informed by someone representing the complainants, they quickly took down the first publications from their sites. Still, according to the commission’s report, each outlet kept publishing related content, despite having removed the originals material, an issue that played a key role in shaping the outcome.
Officials from Adamus Resources pointed out serious image issues due to the articles, since these raised worries within their global allies. Although drafting a response to challenge the claims, they did not deliver it straight to the accused parties. That detail eventually played a role in how the Commission interpreted legal aspects.
Following careful assessment, the NMC found ModernGhana.com along with Class FM violated Articles 4 and 5 of the GJA’s 2017 ethical code, which demand reporters check facts before sharing them. It emphasized that such responsibility remains binding, regardless of whether news comes from a fellow media source.
The Commission also observed that while the Complainants used their constitutional privilege per Article 162(6) of the 1992 Constitution to submit a reply; the Respondents were not required to release it, because it was not delivered to them personally.
As a result of the findings, the NMC gave clear instructions to fix ethical issues and improve public perception. Instead of continuing unchecked, ModernGhana.com along with Class FM must take down any unconfirmed reports about Adamus Resources or Ms. Angela List. The Commission emphasized that corrections should appear just as widely as the initial articles did.
In addition, each media organisation should issue official apologies to the complainants. Following the press release, they have seven days to carry out all corrections, take-downs, and statements set by the NMC.
The Commission ended with a call for everyone to keep the friendly tone seen during the talks. Still, it stressed how respect on both sides, along with solid ethics in reporting, plays a key role in building trust in media while improving ties between businesses and the public across Ghana.
