Akufo-Addo tasks media to uphold high standards
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on the media fraternity to uphold high standards of accuracy, integrity, and ethical journalism.
Speaking at the closing session of the Third African Media Convention (AMC) in Accra, he emphasized the importance of media freedom, innovation, and sustainability for the future of African journalism.
“Freedom of the media is fundamental to the growth and development of any democratic society in Africa,” President Akufo-Addo stated.
He highlighted the transformative shift towards greater media freedom over the past few decades, but stressed that this freedom must be accompanied by a commitment to ethical standards that respect the dignity of all individuals.
The President underscored the critical role of the media in informing, mobilizing society towards positive change, and maintaining public accountability.
He reflected on Ghana’s democratic journey, noting the significant role of the media as the fourth estate in keeping governments in check.
This year marks the 31st anniversary of Ghana as a constitutional republic, during which the media has played an integral role.
Akufo-Addo also recounted his personal contributions to media freedom, particularly his role in repealing the criminal libel laws as Attorney General under President John Kufuor.
“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 said.
The President praised the media for enhancing public accountability and deepening democracy in Ghana.
He cited the enactment of the Right to Information Act in 2019 as a milestone in the country’s democratic journey, which two successive governments had failed to accomplish due to a lack of political will.
“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,” Akufo-Addo noted.
He urged African media to leverage the opportunities inherent in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for industry growth.
While acknowledging AI’s role in expanding the media landscape, he cautioned against its misuse.
“AI should not become a source of evil,” he stated, warning against generating false information and other unhealthy practices.
Highlighting the need for environmental sustainability, the President entreated the media to educate the public on climate change and its impact on global development.
He emphasized that environmental issues should be at the heart of contemporary media practice.
Mr. Churchill Otieno, President of the African Editors’ Forum, noted that the convention enabled participants to assess press freedom across the continent and identify areas where journalists face repression, violence, or censorship.
It also strengthened ties between media, civil society organizations, and international bodies to promote and protect press freedom.
The three-day convention brought together media experts, scholars, journalists’ unions and associations, editors, policymakers, and cooperating partners from across Africa, UNESCO, and the African Union (AU) Commission.
Discussions focused on emerging technologies in media, advancing best practices in the fast-evolving news industry, and creating new revenue opportunities through partnerships.
Key highlights included the state of the media in Africa, the impact of AI on new media, bringing business into the newsroom, and winning ideas for sustainability and growth.
The African Media Convention, initiated by The African Editors’ Forum (TAEF), is now the largest gathering of media stakeholders and policymakers on the continent.
The inaugural edition was held in Arusha, Tanzania, in 2022
