The Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has emphasized that the standards governing social media operations should not differ from those applied to traditional media.
Speaking at an event organized by the Africa Media Bureau to discuss strategies for sustaining Ghana’s media sector, Mr. George argued that content creators on digital platforms must adhere to the same ethical and professional standards as conventional broadcasters.
“New media must subject itself to the same rigours as traditional media. It is wholly unacceptable and, indeed, undemocratic to apply different standards to new media broadcasts and traditional media broadcasts. Once you broadcast, the ethics and standards of the craft must guide your operations,” he said.
He clarified that his call was not for censorship but for proper regulation.
“I’m not here to advocate censorship. I speak of regulation. The media—whether traditional or digital—cannot exist without regulation. It cannot be the Wild West, where unverified allegations are spread, reputations destroyed, and images permanently damaged simply for clickbait.
I cannot and will not, as sector Minister, determine what media outlets publish—that remains your democratically protected editorial discretion. However, my equally democratic mandate requires me to regulate, through the appropriate agencies, how that content is broadcast. What you say is yours; how you say it falls under regulation. That distinction is crucial, especially with new media,” he explained.
Turning to harmful content, Mr. George condemned individuals exploiting the airwaves for fraudulent or indecent practices.
“Charlatans parading as men of God—capital M for men, small g for god—rather than true men of God, are using television to run frivolous schemes. They must be driven out of our airwaves with a regulatory whip, just as the temple was cleansed.
Equally, money-doubling scams and get-rich-quick schemes promoted by fetish priests have no place in public broadcasting. Pornographic and sexually explicit content masquerading as relationship shows cannot be allowed to continue corrupting our national airwaves,” he warned.
Calling for collective responsibility, he urged stakeholders to work together to protect the integrity of the media space.
“There must be sanity, and we must work together to achieve it. We cannot put today’s profits ahead of tomorrow’s sanity. Let’s agree, as stakeholders, to develop a roadmap to clean up our airwaves,” he said.
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