To tackle the rising challenge of misinformation and disinformation, stakeholders in Ghana’s media sector have actively contributed to the formulation of a comprehensive National Action Plan.
The initiative follows a recent National Conference on Disinformation and Misinformation, where a seven-point communiqué was collectively agreed upon by political parties, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), media representatives, and development partners.
The forum, organized by the Ministry of Information in Accra, featured prominent participation from media umbrella bodies such as the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), and the National Media Commission (NMC).
The gathering aimed to address the urgent need to combat the proliferation of false information in the media space, with the Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, highlighting the exponential growth in media channels across the country.
The prevalence of misinformation and disinformation in the digital age has become a global concern, and Ghana is no exception.
The internet’s revolutionary impact on information dissemination has led to a significant portion of the population relying on online platforms and social media for news.
As of the first quarter of 2023, internet subscriptions in Ghana stood at over 22 million, with a penetration rate of 70.85%, according to the National Communications Authority (NCA).
However, the misuse of these platforms to propagate falsehoods is gradually undermining democracy.
The National Action Plan, spearheaded by the government through the Ministry of Information, aims to safeguard the integrity of information, promote media literacy, and cultivate a culture of responsible digital citizenship.
Emphasising transparency, accountability, and collaboration, the plan seeks to engage various stakeholders, including government agencies, media organisations, civil society, and technology platforms.
To address the multifaceted challenges posed by misinformation and disinformation, the National Action Plan outlines strategic objectives, including enhancing media literacy among citizens, strengthening fact-checking mechanisms, introducing a structured reporting system for false information, promoting ethical journalism, reviewing existing legislation, and collaborating with technology platforms.
In a unique move, the Ministry of Information is collaborating with OFCOM to draw insights from the UK’s recently passed Online Safety Act.
This collaboration aims to explore legal responsibilities for tech companies to prevent and rapidly remove illegal content, setting a precedent for proactive measures in curbing harmful online content.
As Ghana takes a pioneering step in the fight against misinformation, the National Action Plan signals a united front among stakeholders to ensure the resilience of the media landscape and the protection of public trust in the face of evolving challenges in the digital era.
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