President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged the media to perform their function as the fourth estate of the realm by upholding high standards of accuracy, integrity and ethical journalism.
He entreated the media to eschew misinformation, disinformation and maintain acceptable level of credibility in carrying out their watchdog role.
The President made the call at the closing ceremony of the African Media Convention (AMC) held in Accra on Friday.
President Akufo-Addo emphasised that while it was essential for the media to receive the support necessary to thrive, journalists must simultaneously commit to upholding the highest ethical values of the profession.
“We will support you to thrive, but it is imperative that you uphold the principles of accuracy, integrity, and ethical journalism. The media’s role is not only to inform but also to inspire and mobilize society towards positive change,” President Akufo-Addo told the media practitioners.
He underscored the critical role of the media in entrenching democracy and rule of law in Africa.
“Freedom of the Media is fundamental to the growth and development of any democratic society in Africa, with witness of transformative shift towards greater media freedom over the last few decades.
“However, this freedom is not merely about the ability to speak or write freely about it is also about the power to inform, to imagine and to mobilise society to come in here, and emphasise the crucial for the media to uphold not just accuracy, but also integrity and ethical standards, that respect and the dignity of all individuals,” he said.
The AMC drew over 2,000 media professionals, policymakers, and scholars from across the continent.
Environmental challenges
This year’s theme, “Journalism in the face of the Environmental Crisis in Africa,” highlighted the important role of media in addressing environmental challenges.
President Akufo-Addo stressed the importance of innovation and sustainability within the media landscape, noting that the intersection of these elements is crucial for the future of African journalism.
“The theme of this convention captures the essence of our times. Today, media stands at the crossroads of present challenges and opportunities. As we navigate the complexities of our evolving world, the media’s role becomes ever more significant, not just as a guardian of freedom but as a catalyst for sustainable development and innovation,” he added.
Freedom of expression
While reflecting on Ghana’s democratic journey, President Akufo-Addo reiterated the country’s commitment to upholding democratic principles, including freedom of expression.
He noted that this year marks the 31st anniversary of Ghana as a constitutional republic and that the media played an integral role as the fourth estate of the realm in keeping successive governments in check over the years.
President Akufo-Addo recounted his personal contributions to media freedom, particularly the repeal of the criminal libel laws.
“As Attorney General under President John Kufuor, I championed the repeal of the criminal libel laws on January 27, 2001. That day remains a significant milestone in my career and in the history of Ghanaian media. It freed the media from unnecessary self-censorship, fostering a culture of critical and vibrant journalism,” he recalled.
Media commended
President Akufo-Addo praised the media’s role in enhancing public accountability and deepening democracy in Ghana.
He said through the enactment of the acts like the Right to Information Act in 2019, a task two successive governments failed to accomplish due to a lack of political will, is another milestone in our democratic journey.
“Today, the Ghanaian citizen can freely express their opinions on government policies and actions, interrogating fairness and advocating for improvements. This environment of openness has earned Ghana a high ranking on the Global Press Freedom Index, reflecting our commitment to media freedom,” he emphasised.
He encouraged delegates to take the insights and strategies discussed at the convention back to their respective countries and media organizations.
