The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) are expected to engage stakeholders in a national dialogue aimed at finding comprehensive ways to address hate speech and other challenges confronting Ghana’s media ecosystem, particularly on new-media platforms.
GJA President, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, disclosed this at the launch of the 30th GJA Media Awards in Accra, where he highlighted the growing challenges facing journalism in the digital age.
He said the GJA welcomed the decision by President John Dramani Mahama and his government to task the GJA and MFWA with engaging stakeholders on the issue.
The planned dialogue forms part of broader efforts to address the growing threat of hate speech, misinformation and other harmful content within Ghana’s rapidly changing media environment.
Digital transformation brings new challenges
Mr. Dwumfour noted that technology had significantly transformed journalism, with news now travelling across the world within seconds.
Social media, he said, had changed the way audiences consume information, while artificial intelligence was beginning to reshape how journalists research, produce and distribute content.
However, he stressed that despite these changes, the fundamental responsibilities of journalists remained unchanged.
“We must seek the truth. We must verify information. We must be fair. We must provide context. Above all, we must protect the credibility of our profession,” he said.
According to him, the rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation makes credible journalism more important than ever.
“The public needs journalists it can trust. Our democracy needs journalists who will ask difficult questions, investigate issues in the public interest and hold institutions accountable,” he stated.
Mr. Dwumfour said the theme of this year’s 30th GJA Media Awards, “Celebrating Excellence, Advancing Media Freedom and Combating Hate Speech in the Digital Age”, reflects both the opportunities and challenges created by the changing media environment.
He said the GJA’s objective was not only to celebrate journalistic excellence but also to encourage media practitioners to protect professional standards and democratic values.
He emphasised the need for journalists to prioritise accuracy, fairness, independence, ethical conduct and responsibility in their work.
The GJA President also cautioned against the culture of publishing first at the expense of verification and context.
Mr. Dwumfour said the challenge facing the media was to protect freedom of expression while ensuring that journalism and digital communication did not become vehicles for hate, misinformation or social division.
He said the GJA remained committed to media freedom but also recognised the responsibility that comes with that freedom.
The national dialogue with stakeholders is therefore expected to contribute to discussions on how Ghana can address hate speech and other emerging challenges without undermining legitimate journalism and freedom of expression.
The initiative comes as the GJA marks the 30th edition of its Media Awards, which seeks to celebrate excellence while encouraging journalists to contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s democracy and national development.
“The GJA Media Awards remain important. They remind us that journalism is not simply about who publishes first, but who gets it right, who provides context and who makes a meaningful difference in society,” he said.
By Celestine Edem Gbologah//Newswatchgh.com
