The Press Attaché at the US Embassy in Ghana, Kevin Brosnahan has stressed the need to promote press freedom in Ghana and on the global front saying it is what allows journalists to hold policymakers accountable for their promises and actions.
He said it is an issue of concern that Ghana has dropped two places on the World Press Freedom Index released on May 3, 2023, by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
Ghana dropped two spots from 60 in 2022 to 62 among 180 countries listed on the Index.
According to RSF, Ghana is regarded as one of Africa’s most democratic countries and enjoys a vibrant and pluralist media environment. However, the creation of media outlets by politicians has given rise to politicized and biased media content.
Kevin Brosnahan says this development shows how challenged Ghana’s Press Freedom is but he believes the instability in situations that the World Press Freedom Index shows with major rises and falls is a worldwide concern.
He was speaking during the Embassy’s celebration of World Press Freedom Day 2023 in partnership with the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) and the Ghana Journalist Association, Central Region.
Meanwhile, reading a speech on behalf of the Central Regional Minister, Madam Justina Marigold Assan, the Director at the Central Regional Coordinating Council, Mr. Bless Kwame Darkey indicated that although Ghana’s Criminal Libel Law was repealed to promote press freedom, some incidences have led to questions as to whether the repeal of this law is serving its purposes.
Ghana’s Parliament on 7th July 2001 unanimously repealed the Criminal Libel and Seditious Laws to allow the press to report on matters of public interest devoid of all forms of fear and intimidation.
Mr. Darkey however notes that reports and news about journalists allegedly being arrested and jailed for one reason or the other brings to light the mind-boggling question as to whether press freedom should be unlimited.
“How do we manage extremists who might want to take undue advantage of this unlimited freedom? I believe it is surmountable” he continued.
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Source: Rosemond Asmah/ATLFMNEWS
