Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has underscored the urgent need for consistent regulation across both traditional and new media platforms to preserve ethical standards and strengthen Ghana’s democracy.
Speaking at the high-level media forum organised by the Africa Media Bureau in Accra, the Minister noted that while new media is a valuable tool in complementing traditional outlets, it must operate within the same regulatory framework.
He praised digital platforms for expanding access to information, education, and entertainment but cautioned that without proper oversight, their unchecked growth could undermine national cohesion.
“It is wholly unacceptable and indeed undemocratic for us to have differing standards for new and traditional media broadcasts,” Sam George said.
He was quick to clarify that his call was not for censorship but rather for the enforcement of responsible regulation to curb misinformation, protect reputations, and uphold integrity in public communication.
The Minister acknowledged the right of media organisations to exercise editorial discretion but stressed that such freedoms must be balanced with responsibility. “The media cannot be the Wild West where incredulous allegations damage reputations simply for clickbait,” he warned.
Drawing inspiration from Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Sam George urged stakeholders across the media landscape to work within their mandates to defend the country’s democratic values.
He also expressed concern about fraudulent schemes promoted by charlatans posing as religious figures, as well as the rise of pornographic content disguised as adult programming, calling for urgent reforms. “There must be sanity on our airwaves,” he declared. “We cannot put today’s profit ahead of tomorrow’s sanity.”
Looking to the future, the Minister outlined a vision for the broadcasting sector that prioritises strict compliance with authorisation conditions, where non-compliant stations risk losing their licenses.
He emphasised the importance of updating regulatory frameworks to reflect digital convergence and hybrid delivery systems, which blend terrestrial, satellite, and internet broadcasting.
He also highlighted the need for greater investment in local content, professional training, fact-checking, and media literacy to enhance credibility and public trust.
In addition, Sam George called for the adoption of modern technologies to improve content creation and distribution and encouraged regional cooperation to benchmark Ghana’s media institutions against best practices globally.
He stressed that the goal is to build a resilient and competitive media landscape that serves the public interest while ensuring fairness and accountability.
