President Nana Akufo-Addo says critiques by citizens and officialdom on the work done undertaking by the media can in no way be described as “an attack on media freedom”.
Speaking at the African Journalists’ Leaders Conference on Tuesday, he said when journalists are physically attacked or prevented from doing their work, no matter where in the world it takes place, that is an attack on media freedom and must be roundly condemned by all.
However, according to the President, “there seems to be an emerging narrative, which is being proffered by some in Ghana, that critiquing the work of a journalist constitutes an attack on media freedom. That certainly cannot be described as an attack on media freedom.”
He continued, “Having the freedom to criticise and oppose should also mean that the media is ready to accept and work with criticisms of its work by the citizenry or officialdom.
"That, for me, is one of the surest ways of improving the public discourse of our respective countries, and we should all strive towards realising this.”
The President also urged the Journalists’ Leaders Conference to use the event to address the phenomena of misinformation campaigns and fake news, which, sometimes, unfortunately, are propagated by some in the media.
“The tendency to report on only one side of a story, and pass judgment on it, without wanting to learn or give a fair amount of reportage to the other side, stifles the truth. The media should only be concerned about reporting the facts, and should not lend themselves to being bought or being used to destroy the reputations of others,” he added.
With the media possessing immeasurable power, the President appealed to them to ensure that they do not sacrifice the integrity and the future of society on the altar of an instant scoop or ill-considered publication.
The Rwanda genocide in 1994, he said, presents probably the best example of the calamity that can befall a country when the media is oblivious of, or chooses to ignore this particular sacred role.
“In Rwanda, a radio station became a catalyst for fuelling the genocidal atrocities in which eight hundred thousand (800,000) people were, tragically, slaughtered. Although the country has picked itself up under the strong leadership of President Paul Kagame, there is no doubt that many Rwandans continue to suffer from the trauma,” he added.
African journalists and media organisations, the President stressed, must not, and cannot take the national cohesion of their countries and their stability for granted.
“As was proven in Rwanda, all it takes is for a radio station to broadcast a few provocative and ethnocentric catch-phrases to alter completely the course of a nation’s history,” he noted.
President Akufo-Addo assured the Conference of his commitment to empowering the citizen, media and civil society, so all can play their part in realising the vision of building a progressive and prosperous Ghana.
“As President of Ghana, I assure you that the Ghanaian people will continue to exercise their right to free expression to the very end, because of their determination to build a free, open society with accountable governance, no matter the cost,” he added.
Latest Stories
-
I applied for speedy hearing of injunction application by Dafeamekpor – Attorney General clarifies
3 mins -
Sarkodie, Keche, Yvonne Nelson, other celebs angered by Tema General Hospital power outage
10 mins -
BoG appoints Dr. Joseph France as advisor for management of UMB
26 mins -
WAFU B U-17 Cup of Nations to be staged in Accra in May
26 mins -
Mother, who alleges that her baby died due to ‘dumsor’ shares her story
30 mins -
Academic City’s Business and Communication Dean launches new book
39 mins -
FIFA development delegation in Ghana to review GFA projects
46 mins -
United States (U.S.) Senators Oversee United States Government (USG) Health Assistance To Angola At The Instituto Técnico De Saúde De Luanda
53 mins -
Must teachers always strike before concerns are addressed? – Peter Anti quizzes
59 mins -
John Kumah’s wife inconsolable at his one week observance [Video]
1 hour -
Africa’s Top Women in Banking, Finance, and Investment to be celebrated at Angaza Forum in Nairobi
1 hour -
The love I’ve received is breathtaking – Kuami Eugene shares health update
1 hour -
Government targets $100m private capital to complete Saglemi Housing Project
2 hours -
Anti-LGBTQI+ Bill will bring economic disaster to Ghana if signed into law – Prof. Diamond
2 hours -
Akufo-Addo, Bagbin impasse over Anti- LGBTQI+ Bill could harm economy – Franklin Cudjoe
2 hours