President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour says the media plays a crucial role in shaping political discourse and influencing public opinion.

He noted that in an era where digitisation and digitalisation significantly impact people’s lives, the media's responsibility in exercising its influence is paramount.

Speaking at JoyNews’ National Dialogue on defending media freedom on Thursday, August 29, Mr Dwumfour remarked that the media is often regarded as the protector of power and the voice for those who are typically unheard.

He stated, "A free and fearless media is at the heart of every healthy democracy. It guarantees the accountability of those in power, exposes corruption, and amplifies the voice of everyone."

He warned that without a free press, the country risks descending into tyranny and oppression.

The GJA President also expressed concern over the recent violations of media freedom in Ghana, citing the invasion of the UTV studios by political activists reportedly sympathetic to the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the attacks on some Citi FM journalists by National Democratic Congress (NDC) activists.

“We can’t continue to let this happen as we inch closer to election 2024 as some parties seek to break the eight while others are poised to recapture power,” he said.

Mr Dwumfour called on all Ghanaians to defend media freedom, stressing that civil society, individuals, political parties, and institutions have a collective responsibility to protect the media.

He urged citizens to obtain news from reliable sources, think critically about the information they receive, and resist efforts to silence the press.

The GJA President added that the judiciary and security services, particularly the Ghana Police Service, play a critical role in safeguarding media freedom in the country.