Minister-designate attributes improved press freedom ranking to Media support programmes

Minister for Information-designate, Fatimatu Abubakar, has attributed Ghana’s positive 12 places jump on the 2024 World Press Freedom Index to a series of interventions implemented by the government.

Ghana jumped from 62nd to 50th position.

She particularly mentioned the intervention introduced during the tenure of her predecessor, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, where she served as the Deputy Minister.

One such initiative credited with the positive rise in ranking, she explained, is the Media Capacity Enhancement Programme (MCEP). Established in 2021 by the Ministry of Information, the MCEP addresses the crucial need for upskilling journalists across the country.

“The MCEP recognized the importance of equipping our journalists with the necessary tools and knowledge to excel in their profession,” she explained.

“Through a comprehensive needs assessment and curriculum development process, the program has provided training to over 400 journalists so far.”

Another vital program championed by the previous administration is the Coordinated Mechanism for the Safety of Journalists (CMSJ). Launched in May 2021, the CMSJ tackled the critical issue of journalist safety, a concern previously highlighted in press freedom reports.

“The safety of journalists is paramount for a free and independent press,” Madam Abubakar emphasized. “The CMSJ works collaboratively with various stakeholders to create a safe and conducive environment for journalists to operate.

“This includes preventing violence against journalists, protecting those in danger, and holding perpetrators accountable.”

The CMSJ, she explained, also fosters dialogue and collaboration between media practitioners, government agencies, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). This multi-pronged approach aims to create a media landscape where journalists can work freely without fear of intimidation or violence.

Minister-designate Abubakar acknowledged the ongoing nature of these efforts.

She said the improvement in Ghana’s ranking is certainly encouraging, but there’s always room for further progress. She said the government remained committed to working with all stakeholders to build upon these successes and ensure Ghana continues to be a beacon of press freedom in Africa.

The positive news of the improvement in Ghana’s ranking was welcomed by stakeholders within the media landscape. The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) applauded the ranking, stressing that the safer and more empowered media environment belatedly being experienced in the industry is the reason behind it.

“The MCEP and CMSJ represent significant steps forward for Ghanaian journalism,” said Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor, President of the GJA. “Equipping journalists with the necessary skills and ensuring their safety are crucial for a robust and independent media.”

The ranking, compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in 180 countries across the world, saw Ghana move 12 places to its 50th position after two consecutive years of decline.

Ghana improved on its media ranking, the World Press Freedom Index 2024 published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has revealed.

The report indicated that Ghana made a significant improvement by moving from the 62nd position in the 2023 ranking to the 50th position in the 2024 ranking, which covered 180 countries.

According to the report, regarded as one of Africa’s most democratic countries, Ghana had a vibrant and pluralistic media environment.

It noted that, however, the creation of media outlets by politicians had given rise to politicized and biased media content.

“Thanks to the 1992 Constitution authorizing new media outlets to be created without a license, Ghana has at least 100 media outlets, including radio stations, TV channels, and news sites. Many privately owned media, such as the Joy News channel, the Myjoyonline website, and radio Peace FM, are very popular and reflect a high degree of pluralism and diversity,” it stated.

“They have the independence necessary to operate without political restrictions. The state-owned Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, and its TV and radio stations, GBC TV and GBC Radio, have nationwide coverage.”

It reiterated that there were also numerous community radio stations throughout the country; however, measures taken by the authorities to promote media pluralism had favored, in recent years, the emergence of partisan media outlets launched by politicians.

The report said journalists’ safety had seriously deteriorated in Ghana in recent years; stating that several attacks on press freedom had been registered, including the intrusion of ruling party supporters into a TV studio and an attack on a journalist during a live report in October 2023.

It said politicians had also made death threats against investigative journalists.

The report said most cases of police violence against journalists were not pursued.

It said the same went for murderers of journalists and that five years after the brutal death of investigative reporter Ahmed Hussein-Suale, the investigation had come to a halt.

It said worse still, the Attorney General and Justice Minister told Parliament in early 2024 that criminal prosecutions had not been initiated due to lack of evidence.

On the global front this year, the RSF highlights a “worrying decline in support and respect for media autonomy and an increase in pressure from the state or other political actors”.

This is based on the fact that, of the five indicators used to compile the ranking, it is the political indicator that has fallen most, with a global average decline of 7.6 points.

Out of the 180 countries and territories analyzed, some 138 places had a majority of their respondents saying that political actors in their countries were involved in disinformation or propaganda campaigns. This involvement is described as “systematic” in 31 countries.

The United States ranked 55th in 2024, having dropped 10 positions.

RSF notes that the country (United States) is experiencing growing distrust in the media, partly driven by antagonism from political officials, while there have also been cases of local law enforcement raiding newsrooms.