Director of Elections and IT of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Edward Omane Boamah, is advocating for collaborative efforts in defending the freedom and independence of the media.

According to him, the media plays a pivotal role in ensuring the continuity of Ghana’s democracy. Therefore, he advised that when disagreements arise with the media over certain reportage, the most appropriate approach is to draw the media’s attention or demand a rejoinder rather than attacking the press.

Speaking at JoyNew’s National Dialogue on Defending Media Freedom on Thursday, August 29, he said “If you disagree with a journalist or a media house call them, write a rejoinder or criticise them. That is what civilized societies, governments, and civilized people do.

"Don’t kill the media, don’t torture the media, and don’t negatively impact the mental health of media practitioners. Folks, let us defend media freedoms as if our lives depend on them. Actually, our lives do.”

Dr Omane Boamah advised the media to penalise individuals who choose to abuse the institution.

“Name and shame, boycott and blacklist perpetrators and report them for prosecution and other forms of redress,” he added.