The news of TV3 suspending star-staff Nana Aba Anamoah over the recent controversy she generated on social media (particularly twitter) as to whether she has stained the image of the media house over her “joke gone wrong” twitter post has brought divergent views on the matter. Many Ghanaians well-wishers and critics alike have taken to social media to express shock and utter disgust at the action by the management of TV3. Other sections of the public also side with the decision of the media house’ management to dump the prized staff at the Adesa We media house.
So how does management handle such situations in this day and age of social media engagement dictating how corporate and individual lifestyles are intertwined? Were the managers of TV3 right in showing her the exit? Many say it’s a suspension, but really can the managers bring her back on screen to host her popular Saturday morning rundowns in sports (mostly jiving about her beloved Manchester United and the English Premiership)-The Diva’s Show, or be part of the station’s flagship morning TV magazine program- The New Day, or to read a major news bulletin? The business of a media house truly hinges on honesty and integrity so for managers to take this line of action then it means they are prepared to dump her in the long run or maybe relegate her to off-air duties.
A statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer of TV3, Mr. Augustus Dickson, stated that “after preliminary investigations internally, and in accordance with TV3’s own commitment to the highest level of professionalism, management has decided to take Nana Aba Anamoah off air until further notice.” “As a broadcast network that prides itself in upholding high ethical standards and delivering credible and trustworthy content to its viewers, TV3 would like to assure viewers and other key stakeholders that it shall continue to take all necessary steps to maintain such standards,” the statement noted.
In quite a similar occurrence, Fareed Zakaria host of GPS on CNN and a columnist for Times Magazine was suspended in 2012 for plagiarism but has since then been reinstated by the employers- CNN and Times. At the time Fareed apologized and accepted responsibility for the “mistakes” admitted it was entirely his “fault”.
Many notable figures in corporate Ghana, public figures and average Ghanaians are still pitching their stance on this issue. Ace Annan Ankomah, a managing partner at Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa and Ankomah (a law firm) where he also heads the disputes and litigation unit believes the action by the management of TV3 is overkill. He said when TV3 realized that the issue adversely affected their reputation, they could have just taken Nana Aba off quietly “and probably make a joke out of all of this because it’s been quite a joking trend that she was everywhere even on the moon.” “But when the story was just about dying then there is a full press release, unless something happened in the background I don’t know, but I think that the announcement was a bit of an overkill,” he added.
These and many other sentiments are being shared on varied platforms across social media. So really, is there a lesson to ponder over? For management and the affected staff, how should staff align social media engagement with their corporate identity?
You cannot separate your private life from public life if you are a public figure- Maximus Ametorgoh
There’s been raging controversy on this stance as to whether those who live in the full glare of the public can separate their private life from their public life. Many a politician has suffered several fates where their seemingly hideous private matters have been made public.
“When you work for a brand you represent it online”….organizations at this point must train their employers to understand their established social media policies (if there are) – Maximus Ametorgoh
Credit: Paa Swanzy-Essuman || www.GhanaTalksbusiness.com
