Does the Police law empower police to run a broadcasting service?

Sammy Darko, a media law lecturer and anti-corruption advocate, has raised concerns about the proliferation of state institution-owned TV channels like Police TV and Fire Service TV.

He cautions against what he terms "mandate elasticity," where agencies stretch their functions into areas beyond their legal remit, such as regulated broadcasting.

Darko questions the constitutional and legal basis for law enforcement agencies operating TV stations, emphasizing risks of bias, compromised media independence, and accountability gaps.

He warns that such ventures could mirror authoritarian models, like Russia's Police Wave TV, rather than democratic norms that prioritize neutral, independent media.

He urges public education efforts to be handled collaboratively with broadcasters or the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to uphold transparency, neutrality, and cost-efficiency.