PRESS FREEDOM: THERE SURE HAS TO BE A LIMIT

Our freedom of speech indeed has reached its peak in Ghana. These days, people say whatever they like quite freely however true or false it may be devoid of the emotional implications. In the past, people and hence our media were a little more circumspect in their dealings and were quite mindful of what others may do or say whether good or bad; indeed, they were diplomatic in their dealings. These days, it is unbelievable listening to the way and manner in which people speak in public; all caution has been thrown to the wind. In the name of freedom of speech and press freedom, people have become more bold and forthcoming in their utterances. It is indeed sometimes disheartening and saddening to listen to the derogative statements people make on our airwaves. I sometimes cannot help but wonder how the victims might feel if they should listen to such.

Yes, a lot of things are happening around us which need to be addressed. It is the responsibility of our media to keep citizens abreast with all that is happening around us. The media is charged with the responsibility of educating, informing and entertaining us all and hence people both young and old are encouraged to listen to and watch the radio or television. For most people, the only education they get is by watching the television or listening to the news especially the younger generation since there is usually so much on these media. It is for this reason that a censorship board exists in each country to monitor and ensure that whatever is being transmitted at any point in time is appropriate for the various categories of audience. When it comes to the television, we have parental control measures in place. What about the airwaves? What censorship measures have been put in place to ensure that all that is being said and done meets the censorship board’s requirement? I believe we need to consider that.

In Ghana today in line with modern times and as advocated by several individuals, press freedom is at its peak just as freedom of speech and expression. Innocent people are attacked each day in the name of freedom of speech. Reputations are being tarnished each day in the name of freedom of speech. Verbal abuse has become the order of the day in the name of freedom of speech. The peace and unity we are all fighting to maintain and improve is being destroyed by some of our press. The citizenry is being misinformed all the time on our various media and nothing is being done. Our press in their own way is inciting people all the time and nothing is being done about it. Our press are gradually becoming above the law! With their little notebooks, pens or microphones, they are becoming more powerful each day. Indirectly, they are playing their own game of politics and their faithful listeners have become their follower of party faithful. Yes, a lot of our press these days has become politicians in disguise.

In all this, there is one particular group of people who never cease to amaze me and sometimes leave me with a feeling of disgust. On our airwaves we often listen to news readers in our local dialect preferably Twi. It is sometimes unbelievable what these people say just in the name of news reading. Since when did the reading of news turn into a forum for exchange of profanity?

People listen to or watch the radio and television respectively, for information, education and entertainment. When it comes to the news, I believe it is mainly for information and education. There are some entertaining aspects of the news I believe but most often, these Twi radio newscasters have decided to turn all of that into entertainment. Perhaps, their natural calling is in comedies. They shamelessly make profane remarks on our airwaves and sometimes leave me worried. What is our world coming to? We should bear in mind that our airwaves are not only open to adults but to children as well. What do we expect the young ones to pick from this as information and education? How free can our press be? There is a limit to everything. There is a limit to press freedom and hence the libel law. What are our media commission and censorship board doing about this? What about the managers or owners of these stations, have they no reputation to maintain?

Clearly, our press these days are taking the message of freedom of speech too far. We should be careful of our utterances because as humans, we have feelings and we ought to examine the emotional implications of whatever we say however true it may be. The truth can be said in a mild way and can have the desired effect. In the same way just as people are becoming bold each day in their utterances, I believe our courts should also be made open to such people. It is time we started making use of our courts for such people. Anyone who makes any false derogative statement should be made to face the law as is done in the developed world. Even in the developed or western countries where we picked up or copied the freedom of speech, they have limits and are very careful of whatever is said on air. The consequence of libel is a court sanction and I believe the time has come for us to take up such bold measures to curb and forestall this canker. Our press should be made accountable for whatever they say on air.

As citizens, we all have a moral obligation to each other. For this reason, all are expected to work hard wherever they find themselves towards the nation’s development and progress. In all this, our press has a major role to play; they serve as the liaisons between the various factions and keep citizens up to date with whatever is happening within the country and beyond. That I believe is a noble course but with the attitude of some of our press these days, it leaves more to be desired. Our media should be careful of their reportage and not make any unnecessary additions or implications as far as the news is concerned. We ought to bear in mind that the populace is made up of so many different groups of people with diverse opinions and cultures. What is understood and accepted by one culture or individual may actually be an abomination in another culture. Whatever is heard or read is subject to so many different interpretations. As the press, the news should be reported as it should or subject to their best discretion. Indeed, our press has a major role to play in ensuring peace and unity in the nation and should always be mindful of that.

It is unnecessary and bad ethics to deliberately attack innocent victims just to create news or spark undue attention. It is inhumane and cold to create humor out of issues that are sensitive and especially life threatening. It is bad ethics to be bias in opinion as a journalist. Especially where children are concerned, we ought to be careful of whatever we say around them. Whatever information they carry around is based on what they see and hear. Our press has a moral obligation to us all to ensure that the truth is told at all times. They should be mindful of the language they use because whatever we hear is subject to our individual interpretations and so their utterances should not be overly suggestive. There is a limit to everything. Press freedom has its limit too.

Published: Daily Graphic (1^st. Dec. 2010).