President Akufo-Addo has indicated that criticizing the work of the media is not an attack on press freedom.
He was worried that there is a growing narrative of the perceived culture of silence, a narrative he disputed.
He said the media must accept criticism since it is the surest way of enhancing democracy and improving public discourse.
He appealed to media practitioners not to take the national cohesion and stability in Africa for granted.
He asked the media to learn from the example of the Rwanda genocide and avoid any form of reckless media that will threaten the peace and stability in the continent.
He said the free flow of information is key to democracy, and that is something Ghanaians appreciate.
He commended the Ghanaian media in keeping the government accountable.
He said this at the opening of the 2021 African Leaders Conference organised in Accra by the Federation of African Journalists.
The President who officially opened the conference said the media is a partner to the government and development in the continent.
President Akufo-Addo touted the repeal of the Criminal Libel law, adding it has enhanced public accountability and democracy in Ghana.
He challenged countries that are yet to decriminalize press freedom to take the bold step in ensuring the freedom of the press.
President Akufo-Addo decried misinformation and asked the conference to address it.
He underscored the need for the media to address threats of terrorism, climate change and help the continent prevent these threats.
Press Freedom is respected in Ghana
Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah opined that Ghana is a country where a free press is respected and the rule of law, is upheld.
He touted the Rights to Information Law and other initiatives to help build the capacity of journalists in Ghana to argue that Ghana’s media space has seen growth.
He said: as compared to the past where the media space was monopolistic today, there are several radio and television stations as well as online media.
He called for ethical standards and an end to the unprofessional conduct of some practitioners.
Underpaid journalists threat to democracy
On his part, the President of the Ghana Journalists Association Affail Monney made a strong case for journalists calling for better working conditions.
He said underpaid journalists are a threat to democracy in Africa hence media owners must pay their journalists well.
He said journalists who are not well paid could easily be compromised and engage in mischief.
He also spoke against attacks on journalists saying it is not right for journalists to be attacked for discharging their duties.
Chairman for the occasion Mr. K. Blay Amihere in his address, admonished journalists to be guided by the ethics of their profession.
He challenged the participants to consider the current state of the media in Africa, where it was, and where it was heading.
He suggested that the era of social media and the growth in the media space is the best time to be a journalist.
He also spoke against impunity and attacks on journalists and underscored the need for such acts to stop.
Representatives from the AU and other recognised bodies graced the occasion and delivered solidarity messages.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com
