On the twenty eighth Ghana Journalists Affiliation (GJA) Media Awards held on Saturday, twenty eighth September 2024, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo underscored the essential accountability of Ghanaian journalists in safeguarding the nation’s democracy, notably because the 2024 elections draw close to. Addressing an viewers of media professionals, the President emphasised the rising challenges posed by disinformation, misinformation, and the digital age.
As a part of the celebration marking 75 years of journalism excellence, the President famous that whereas expertise has democratized entry to data, it has additionally created new vulnerabilities. Within the present media panorama, the place social media platforms allow the speedy unfold of data, journalists are confronted with the duty of guaranteeing that info prevail over falsehoods.
“On this digital age, we face new challenges—disinformation, misinformation, faux information, and sensationalism—that may distort the electoral course of. Journalists should rise to the event by being the gatekeepers of fact,” the President acknowledged.
With the nation set to embark on one more essential election in December 2024, President Akufo-Addo known as on the media to report with integrity, equity, and accuracy, guaranteeing that residents are well-informed to make choices that have an effect on their future. He pressured that the stakes are greater than ever, and the function of the media has by no means been extra essential.
“The accountability of the media throughout elections can’t be overstated. It’s via your work that residents are knowledgeable concerning the insurance policies of political events, the integrity of candidates, and the problems that matter most to their lives,” he added.
The President’s speech additionally mirrored on the broader function of journalism in shaping Ghana’s democracy. He credited the media for its function in selling transparency, accountability, and the general public good, notably in durations of political transition. He highlighted the media’s contribution to the restoration of democracy in 1992 and its continued involvement in educating the general public and safeguarding democratic values.
The President famous that journalism, because the “fourth property,” has been pivotal in transferring Ghana ahead. He urged media practitioners to keep up their professionalism and safeguard the general public’s belief by adhering to the ideas of fact, equity, and impartiality.
Nevertheless, he was fast to warning that with nice energy comes nice accountability. “The bond between journalists and the general public is constructed on belief, and it’s this belief that have to be frequently safeguarded by your professionalism and dedication to accuracy, equity, and steadiness,” he mentioned.
As a passionate advocate for press freedom, President Akufo-Addo recounted his efforts in advancing the rights of journalists in Ghana. He highlighted his authorities’s dedication to passing the Proper to Data Act, which empowers journalists and most of the people to entry essential data to carry leaders accountable. This, coupled with the repeal of the Legal Libel Legislation throughout his tenure as Lawyer Basic in 2001, has strengthened the inspiration of press freedom in Ghana.
President Akufo-Addo, whose time period as president is ready to finish, mirrored on his long-standing relationship with the media. He emphasised the non-public significance of attending the awards ceremony, noting that it might be his final as President of the Republic. Regardless of coming back from a demanding schedule on the United Nations Basic Meeting in New York, he made it a precedence to attend the occasion in recognition of the invaluable function the media has performed in his presidency and the democratic journey of Ghana.
In conclusion, President Akufo-Addo recommended the resilience, braveness, and dedication of Ghanaian journalists. He reaffirmed his perception {that a} free and vibrant press is essential to democracy, and because the nation prepares for the 2024 elections, he known as on the media to uphold its responsibility because the torchbearer of fact and equity.
“I stay deeply dedicated to making sure that the media in Ghana stays free, vibrant, and unbiased. Your work is important to the energy of our democracy, the integrity of our elections, and the progress of our nation,” the President declared, leaving the viewers with a message of hope and accountability as they put together for the subsequent chapter in Ghana’s political historical past.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.