The Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Head of Legal at Action Chapel International, Bishop Dr. Suzanne Nti, has sounded the alarm bells regarding the increasing political influence over Ghana's media landscape, particularly as the nation approaches the December 2024 elections.

Expressing her concerns during the 'Joy Change-Speaker Series VII' on Saturday's edition of NewsFile, Madam Nti highlighted the dangers associated with the growing trend of political capture within media organizations. 

She stressed the urgency of addressing this issue promptly to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.

Madam Nti emphasised the potential consequences of political ownership on journalistic integrity, noting that while many journalists strive to report truthfully and objectively, the influence of political stakeholders may hinder their ability to do so.

She warned that failure to address this issue could compromise the media's role as the fourth estate of the realm, as outlined in Ghana's 1992 Constitution. 

Madam Nti underscored the importance of preserving the media's independence and ensuring that it remains a watchdog for democracy.

In light of these concerns, Madam Nti urged stakeholders to take proactive measures to mitigate political interference in the media, emphasising that addressing this issue promptly is essential for the country's democratic stability and progress.

"As we look ahead to the elections, it’s crucial that we address the challenges and the threats that can undermine the credibility of the process, and the media is pivotal in promoting transparency, accountability and integrity in the electoral process, and we commend the journalists and reporters who work tirelessly to uphold these principles of truth and impartiality to some extent. But we must importantly deal with the political capture of the media landscape to ensure this achieved," she stated.