Dignitaries at the launch of the report
Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampam Constituency, Samuel Nartey George, has called on the National Communication Authority (NCA) and other regulators to design strategies that ensure the country’s media practice within the highest ethical standards.
According to the lawmaker, this will help the authorities address broadcast irregularities which will in the long run position the country’s media as a well-structured industry devoid of misinformation and disinformation.
“There must be a basic standard by which media practitioners must meet. If you look at the scene right now what we have is a secondary market because we have dropped the bars so low that you have all kinds of people holding frequencies,” he said.
Sam George further indicated that this has resulted in the re-selling of their frequencies in violation of the authorization requirement while others indulge in money ritualism on national television.
“We need to have some level of regulation. The standards need to be set at a certain level where you know that media broadcasting is serious business,” he added.
Sam George made this statement at the launch of the CDD-Ghana report on ‘Ensuring Accountability in the Governance of Media and the Internet in Ghana’ yesterday in Accra.
The 64-page report focuses on relevant topics like the rapidly evolving media environment which examines the current media landscape challenges associated with media freedom versus accountability and implications for democratic consolidation.
It also looks at the business models, and sustainability of media houses in Ghana exploring revenue sources and funding for media houses and the emerging threats posed by expanding internet use. It also evaluates both the problem and potential benefits arising from expanding media internet consumption.
Team Leader, Dr. Eliasu Mumuni, indicated that the study was undertaken to understand the Ghanaian situation and to promote accountability in the media and internet space.
He said ensuring accountability in media governance and the internet is crucial for upholding the democratic principles of developing countries like Ghana, adding that the country lacks coherent laws and policies that shape the use and application of social media.
The findings recommended that a regulatory framework be instituted to empower and strengthen the existing regulatory institution to improve standards, ethics, unassailable rights, and responsible content production.
Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, on his part indicated that the government has launched various media initiatives which include the media capacity and enhancement programme which allows media practitioners to keep up with the high standards of media practice.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke