Accra: Madam Shamima Muslim, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, has emphasized the necessity of investing in media literacy, describing it as a critical defence against misinformation and disinformation threatening democracy.
According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Muslim delivered these remarks on behalf of Mr. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister of State for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, at the Ghana Media Summit held in Accra. She highlighted the growing menace posed by false information, particularly disseminated through digital platforms and artificial intelligence (AI), and stressed the importance of equipping citizens with the skills to access, analyse, verify, and responsibly utilize information.
The summit, organized by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) through its flagship initiative, DUBAWA Ghana, marked seven years of the organization's efforts to enhance information integrity, combat misinformation, and support a free press in Ghana. The event convened veteran journalists, editors, civil society leaders, academics, media practitioners, and policymakers to deliberate on strategic priorities for media development in Ghana and West Africa.
Madam Muslim noted that while previous generations faced challenges such as colonialism and censorship, the current generation contends with threats to democracy across digital platforms, AI systems, and social media. She pointed out the rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation as significant threats that could undermine public trust, polarize societies, and weaken democratic institutions.
She raised concerns about the global information environment, highlighting that misinformation has been identified as a major global risk, exacerbated by advances in generative AI that facilitate the creation of convincing fake content. Madam Muslim urged stakeholders to defend truth, protect public trust, and ensure facts shape democratic futures.
Emphasizing the importance of media literacy as a democratic imperative and national security priority, she stressed that investments in media literacy equate to investments in democracy. Madam Muslim underscored the role of journalism as 'democratic infrastructure,' vital for empowering citizens, exposing corruption, and providing credible information for decision-making.
She also advocated for journalists and media institutions to enhance skills in digital verification, data journalism, and cybersecurity to adapt to the evolving media landscape. Highlighting information integrity as a national security concern, she explained that false information could have dire consequences, including influencing elections and inciting violence.
Mr. George Sarpong, Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission, in his keynote address, echoed the call for stronger information systems, warning of the pressures on democratic progress in West Africa. He cited issues like corruption, economic hardship, and declining trust in elections as factors contributing to democratic decline in the region, emphasizing the need for investments in media literacy and civic education to bolster democratic resilience.