Once upon a time in this dear land of ours, a scandal was met with a press release. A policy failure would be followed by a media briefing, and when a journalist uncovered corruption, it sparked public discussion or even action from those in power. These days, however, when news surfaces, be it about misused funds, a delayed project, or a World Bank program being paused for audit, those implicated often respond without hesitation: “Fake news!” The conversation ends there. There are no facts presented, no counterarguments, just a blanket dismissal tossed into the public discourse like old gari into a pot of light soup: “Fake news.” Sadly, for some, that’s all it takes.
This has become a troubling trend. A tactic used by officials and even celebrities, this new “fake news” defense is spreading quickly. Whether it’s a minister’s leaked audio, a DCE caught on camera, or even a schedule for power outages that leaks before its official announcement, the response is often the same: “Fake news.” Even in personal matters, it seems, the label is now an easy escape: “Honey, don’t believe the CCTV footage, deepfake technology is real these days.” Recently, a story emerged about a major international agency halting its funding to Ghana due to audit concerns. But within hours, the response wasn’t about addressing the audit issues; it was simply to dismiss the story as “irresponsible fake news.” But the article hadn’t claimed that funds were withdrawn, only that the program was paused to address infractions. The facts were verifiable, but outrage, unfortunately, often trumps facts.
My grandmother used to say, “If you always pretend to be mad, one day when real madness comes, no one will come to your aid.” The same principle applies to the “fake news” cry. When every difficult truth is dismissed as a lie, we lose the ability to discern real falsehoods. We undermine the very framework that helps us separate truth from distortion. Eventually, when true fake news arrives, often disguised in flashy graphics and circulating widely on social media, no one will be willing to question it. Worse still, when genuine journalism is routinely dismissed, critical issues go unaddressed, and when they finally come to light, we all suffer. Take the banking crisis, for example. Red flags were raised early, and some journalists asked the tough questions. They were dismissed, though, branded as troublemakers. By the time the crisis hit, billions of cedis had vanished, along with people’s savings.
In a society where politics often trumps principle, this reflex to dismiss uncomfortable truths as fake news has become commonplace. Ordinary citizens have joined in, too. Try publishing an article about a questionable land deal or poor sanitation in the home of an influential figure. Watch as defenders of the status quo rush in, not to clarify the facts, but to attack the media outlet. “Who paid you to write this?” “You’re just spreading propaganda!” “Why are you always negative?” And my personal favorite: “The media in this country is the real problem.” Really?
This is not to say that all stories are accurate, and journalists should strive to do better, double-checking facts and resisting the lure of sensationalism. But the greater concern now is not faulty reporting, it’s the dishonest responses to tough questions. Let the story breathe. Let the inquiries be made. If you must respond, offer substance, not slogans. A democracy that fears the truth is on the path to authoritarianism. A public that no longer knows who to trust is vulnerable to manipulation.
So, the next time someone shouts “Fake news!”, take a moment to pause. Ask yourself: What are they trying to deny? And what are they afraid we might uncover if we keep digging? As for me, I still believe in the old saying: “The one who throws a stone into the market knows exactly who it will hit.”
