African Male Journalist Preparing Questions For Press Conference
When the country repealed the Criminal Libel and Seditious Law over twenty years ago, it was a piece of good news for the major stakeholders in the media industry, aside from it being an ingredient for ensuring accountability.
Again, at that time, we agreed that it was the politician who must be under our scrutiny more than the journalist. Little did we know that, over time, we would also, unfortunately, be creating hordes of arrogant, irresponsible journalists and civil society actors in political garb.
We also, indeed, found that those who would be owning media networks would largely be the politicians and not the professional journalists who have been trained to be objective and factual as well as professional and honest.
NMC, NCA
Up to 2010 or thereabout, we were within limits as the National Media Commission, for instance, deftly managed cases to the satisfaction of aggrieved businesses and politicians, including the use of the courts where parties were not satisfied.
It is on record that between the ruling New Patriotic Party and leading opposition National Democratic Congress, each was ‘afflicted’ with several cases, which were won and lost by both sides.
It appeared that up to 2012, that atmosphere of regard for the journalist became tainted with civil society activism that contained political poison, brewed particularly for propaganda purposes. And we could cite media stations and personalities who were most culpable and were depending on where they stood as politicians than the imperative to be responsible and ‘Ghanaian’.
How degenerate the situation became was reflected in the breeding on vigilantes as an answer to another worry which was creeping violence during bye-elections.
Irresponsible party leaders
We may also cite instances in which comments by persons who lead political parties expose them as clearly straying from the paths of responsibility, including attacks on our eminent judges, traditional and religious leaders.
Unfortunately, our traditional and religious leaders, who we all defer to in such critical situations, are also becoming targets of attacks by some party communicators. This has left us with no option than to design a framework which the experts believe would bite enough to contain the surging attack on the frontiers of our freedoms.
‘Arming’ the regulators
It is the fervent opinion of the Daily Statesman that media space regulators, like the Media Commission and National Communications Authority, together with the Independent Broadcasters Association, should promptly intervene in arresting the situation.
We are told that some work has already been done in that regard, and that all we need are sections in the law on sanctions and effective, biting deterrent measures.
Clearly, we cannot allow an insignificant minority of alarmists, loud mouths and lying bloggers take this nation for granted. Indeed, it is time to ensure that those who find a motivation in ugly noises and false alarms do not have their way again.
We must also insist that media organisations and owners act responsibly in getting journalists and other staff under their watch do not overstep their bounds in exercising free speech. More importantly, in applying the rod, we must ensure that the politician is not seen to be above the law.
That is why ‘arming’ the regulators at this point is imperative.
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