Accra: Madam Shamima Muslim, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, has called for a balanced approach to press freedom and responsibility in Ghana's media landscape to reinforce democratic principles.
According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Muslim emphasized the critical need for media freedom to be practiced with professionalism, fairness, and accuracy, cautioning that freedom devoid of responsibility could diminish public trust, while a lack of freedom could undermine democracy's effectiveness in accountability.
Speaking on behalf of Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister of State for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, at the Ghana Media Summit in Accra, Madam Muslim addressed the convergence of journalists, editors, civil society leaders, academics, and regional policymakers. The summit, organized by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) through DUBAWA Ghana, was themed 'Defending Democracy in West Africa - The Role of Media.' This event commemorated seven years of CJID Ghana's efforts in bolstering media integrity and combating misinformation.
Madam Muslim reiterated that journalism remains a cornerstone of Ghana's democratic process, facilitating citizen engagement in governance, ensuring accountability, and providing reliable information for decision-making. She highlighted the evolving role of the media, now perceived as 'democratic infrastructure,' and urged journalists to adhere to high standards of accuracy and professionalism.
Mr George Sarpong, Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission, delivered the keynote address, acknowledging the pressures on West African democracies, including corruption and economic challenges. He stressed that the media plays a crucial role in democratic renewal by enabling informed citizenry and promoting accountability. However, he warned of the negative impacts of modern media dynamics, such as the attention economy and the proliferation of misinformation through Artificial Intelligence.
The summit featured messages from diplomatic missions and partner organizations, including UNESCO and the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), which praised CJID's contributions to journalism and democracy in the region. The speakers collectively emphasized the significance of freedom of expression, a protected and well-resourced media, and efforts against disinformation in fortifying democratic resilience.
Ghana's leadership in promoting press freedom and democratic governance was noted, with a call for journalists to maintain their role in holding governments accountable and improving the media environment.