Ghanaian Musician, Deborah Vanessa known in showbiz as Sister Derby has blasted an Accra-based radio station, Joy Fm for being unprofessional over the airing of her private telephone conversation without her consent.
According to her, she was not expecting a media house such as Joy Fm to have exhibited such unethical behaviour.
In a post sighted by ThinkNews Online, Sister Derby said "A gentleman by the name Victor Brachie of Joy FM called me yesterday to invite me over to their studios for a conversation on ‘cyber-bullying', In the telephone conversation, I shared my reservations about interviews, journalistic standards and the attitude of some media personnel, as well as my views on cyber-bullying.”
She hinted that on arrival at the Joy FM Studios on the morning of the interview, she heard an edited version of their private conversation being played on air. The Musician further mentioned that due to the unfortunate incident, she decided not to participate in the discussion when she was confronted by Victor about it
Sister Derby said "His excuse was that nothing damning was said in the telephone conversation.” Below is her full post below: “Unfortunate true story: Yesterday I was called by a gentleman named Victor Brachie of Joy FM, inviting me to their studios for a discussion on cyber-bullying this morning.
Without my knowledge or consent, this gentleman recorded our conversation in which I was sharing my reservations about interviews, journalistic standards and the attitude of some media personnel, as well as my views on cyber-bullying.
I eventually agreed to the interview, only to turn up at their studios this morning to hear an edited version of our private conversation already being played on air. His excuse? Nothing damning was said in the telephone conversation.
I chose not to participate in the discussion any longer. The GJA’s Code of Ethics include the following: A Journalist: • Obtains information, only by honest, straightforward, fair and open means • Respects the individual’s rights to privacy and human dignity.
It’s been an unfortunate series of events, starting with invasion of my privacy, recording of a conversation without my knowledge or consent, editing of this confidential conversation and playing it on air – all without permission or approval of any kind. I least expected this from a rep of Joy FM’s stature. This appalling treatment meted out to me should certainly not be occurring in this day and age.”
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Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith