In a landmark ruling, a Ghanaian blogger, Jeffrey Epprim Nyame, has been sentenced to 30 days in prison for publishing fake news.
This verdict marks a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to curb the spread of misinformation on social media.
The court’s decision sends a strong message to bloggers and online publishers who prioritize sensationalism over fact-checking.
Judge Isaac Addo’s emphasis on the need to “crack the whip” to deter others from abusing social media to spread falsehoods is a clear indication of the severity of the issue.
The case against Nyame centred around an article he published on his website, claiming that dollar account holders would receive credit at the Bank of Ghana rate for bank withdrawals.
The false news sparked panic withdrawals, causing chaos in the financial sector.
While Nyame’s lawyer pleaded for mercy, citing his youth and willingness to learn from his mistakes, the judge remained resolute in his decision to teach him lessons.
-BY Daniel Bampoe