British High Commissioner Calls for Crackdown on Disinformation
By Esther Korantemaa Offei
The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Christian Rogg, has called for urgent and coordinated efforts to tackle misinformation and disinformation, warning that the growing spread of false information poses a serious threat to press freedom, democratic governance, and social stability.
Speaking at this year’s World Press Freedom Day event in Accra, Mr. Rogg said societies across the world are increasingly vulnerable to the dangers associated with the rapid spread of misleading information through digital platforms.
He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed how quickly false information could circulate and influence public opinion, often creating fear, confusion, and division among people.
“We’re increasingly susceptible to misinformation and disinformation,” he stated. “The COVID period showed just how much false information was spreading. Some of it happened because people were worried and anxious, but some of it was also deliberate in terms of scaring people and blaming people.”
According to him, several years after the pandemic, countries have now realised that much of the information circulated during that period lacked credible foundations and contributed to widespread public misunderstanding.
Mr. Rogg stressed that although digital technology has transformed the production and sharing of information, it has also created opportunities for the deliberate spread of false narratives.
“Digital technologies have not just transformed how information is produced and shared, but alongside that opportunity, we are also seeing the downside of that trend, namely misinformation and disinformation,” he said.
The British envoy further expressed concern about growing threats against journalists and the gradual erosion of public trust in the media and democratic institutions. He warned that if left unchecked, misinformation and attacks on journalists could weaken democratic systems and fuel social tensions.
“We’re seeing growing pressure and threats towards journalists, and we’re seeing an erosion of public trust as a result,” he noted. “What could be isolated incidents ultimately amount to trends that can weaken democratic processes, shrink civic space, and even breed tensions and violence if they are not addressed.”
Mr. Rogg added that the challenge of misinformation is not unique to one country but a global issue affecting democracies around the world. He linked the concerns to this year’s World Press Freedom Day theme, which focuses on peace and tackling violence.
The event brought together journalists, media practitioners, civil society groups, and policy makers to discuss journalism, information integrity, and democratic resilience in the digital era. Participants also examined the role of the media in promoting peace, accountability, and responsible public discourse.
