The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa has bemoaned what he said is the “grievous case of calumny” and fabrication which is currently rearing its ugly head in the country’s media. Prof Kwame Karikari said the publications have only served to damage the hard won reputations of people with no just cause. Speaking at the 2011 edition of the Ghana Speaks Lecture series organized by the Institute of Democratic Governance themed: “The Ghanaian Media, National Peace and Cohesion” Prof Karikari regretted the absence of a clear, definite role by the media towards growth and development of the country. The media advocate said the real test of the media’s performance in this new communication paradigm is its ability to impart knowledge. “It is not enough for the media to expose corruption and abuse of human rights,” he said, adding, the media's ability to promote and enhance mass public knowledge and enlightenment of the citizenry is crucial. Taking the lecture participants on a historical tour of the media landscape in Ghana the democrat said Ghana since 1983 has been operating a new media and communication paradigm in which the role of the media to national development is not clearly defined. He said under a democratic dispensation the media can only function properly and measure its performance by insisting that governments meet the tenets of the directive principles of state policies which are clearly enshrined in the 1992 constitution of Ghana. Prof Karikari said the media must be able to decipher the trumpeted claims by politicians and demand detailed explanation from them as well on pertinent issues that affect the citizenry.