Ace Anan Ankomah, a private legal practitioner, has urged media practitioners and the public to verify information before posting on social media, particularly during election periods. Speaking at the Africa Media Bureau’s Media Executive Breakfast, themed “Ethical Considerations and Risks in Programming for Social Media: Responsible Election Reporting,” Ankomah emphasized the legal risks of unverified content. He warned that misleading posts could lead to defamation and costly legal battles, urging media houses to exercise caution and implement robust social media policies.
Ankomah shared a personal anecdote, where a harmless video of him playing the piano at an airport was misinterpreted, highlighting the dangers of viral misinformation. He stressed that, given social media’s vast reach, courts are increasingly awarding heavy damages for libel and copyright violations. He called on social media users and media houses to ensure compliance with the law by monitoring content, securing explicit consent for copyrighted materials, and deleting inappropriate posts.
Ankomah also addressed the legal implications of child protection laws, data privacy, and unauthorized communications, warning that the misuse of personal data or sharing indecent images of minors could lead to criminal prosecution. As Ghana prepares for the December 7 elections, he urged political parties and the public to avoid posting unverified content, advising them to “take a moment to think, wait for 24 hours, and verify the facts.”
Dr. Aurelia Ayisi, a lecturer at the University of Ghana, echoed Ankomah’s concerns, highlighting the challenges posed by digital technology to journalism and information integrity. She emphasized that the rise of digital spaces has blurred the lines between professional journalists and citizen content creators, complicating the distinction between truth and fabrication. Ayisi pointed out that misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation have eroded public trust, leading to a “post-truth era” where true information is often manipulated to mislead.
She stressed the importance of information, digital, and media literacy, urging users to develop critical skills to evaluate the credibility of the information they consume. Ayisi acknowledged the difficulties faced by journalists in balancing speed with accuracy, calling for a collective effort to combat misinformation and rebuild trust in the media.
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The Africa Media Bureau (AMB), which hosted the event, is committed to advancing Africa’s media landscape, believing that a vibrant media industry is essential for the continent’s progress and global engagement.
