President John Dramani Mahama has called for a broad national stakeholder engagement to address the growing concerns surrounding hate speech, abusive language and harmful content on social media and other digital platforms in Ghana.
The initiative is aimed at finding practical ways to tackle unlawful and harmful online content while protecting freedom of expression, legitimate criticism and other constitutional rights.
MFWA and GJA to Lead Social Media Stakeholder Engagement
In a letter signed by the Secretary to the President, Callistus Mahama, the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) have been invited to jointly lead the proposed national engagement.
The move comes amid significant changes in Ghana’s media landscape, where public conversations are increasingly influenced by not only traditional media houses but also bloggers, social media influencers, content creators and individual social media users.
According to the communication from the Presidency, many of these digital platforms and personalities have large audiences and significant public influence but may not always operate under established editorial standards, professional ethics or clear accountability mechanisms.
Mahama Emphasises Balance Between Online Safety and Free Speech
President Mahama’s position is that Ghana needs a balanced approach to addressing harmful online conduct without unnecessarily restricting freedom of speech and freedom of expression.
The proposed discussions will focus on dealing with conduct such as threats, incitement, hate speech and other unlawful online activities, while ensuring that lawful criticism, political commentary, satire and dissent remain protected.
The President has also expressed concern about disproportionate arrests over criticism or politically charged commentary.
According to the position outlined in the letter, excessive use of arrests in such circumstances could be counterproductive, create what he described as “undeserving martyrs” and potentially undermine public confidence in state institutions.
Stakeholders to Discuss Ghana’s Digital Media Environment
The MFWA and GJA are expected to bring together a wide range of stakeholders to examine Ghana’s approach to social media regulation and digital content.
Expected participants include the:
- National Media Commission
- Ghana Police Service
- Religious organisations
- Civil society organisations
- Traditional media organisations
- Bloggers and content creators
- Social media influencers
- Legal and human-rights experts
- Digital platform representatives
- Relevant regulatory agencies
- Security institutions
The engagement is expected to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss the challenges associated with online abuse, misinformation, hate speech and harmful digital content in Ghana.
Review of Laws Governing Online Speech
One major area of discussion will be the adequacy of Ghana’s existing legal, regulatory and institutional framework for dealing with harmful digital content.
The stakeholders are expected to examine how authorities can clearly distinguish between lawful criticism and unlawful speech, particularly in politically sensitive cases.
The process will also consider practical guidelines for law-enforcement agencies and possible policy, legislative, regulatory and non-legislative measures to improve Ghana’s response to harmful online conduct.
Digital Literacy and Professional Standards
The proposed national engagement will also consider measures to improve media literacy and digital literacy among the public.
Stakeholders are expected to discuss professional and ethical standards for bloggers, influencers and other online content creators, as well as mechanisms that would allow members of the public to submit complaints and seek appropriate redress.
The initiative could therefore contribute to broader discussions about responsible social media use, online journalism, digital rights and media freedom in Ghana.
Alternatives to Arrest and Prosecution
Another key issue for discussion will be the possibility of using alternatives to arrest and prosecution in cases that do not involve threats, incitement, violence or other clearly criminal conduct.
The approach is expected to encourage proportionate responses to problematic online content while preserving the right to free expression and democratic participation.
National Roadmap for Harmful Digital Content
The stakeholder engagement is expected to produce a coherent national roadmap for addressing harmful digital content in Ghana while protecting constitutional freedoms.
The MFWA and GJA have been asked to submit a proposed framework and timetable for the engagement, together with recommendations arising from the process, for consideration by President Mahama.
The initiative places Ghana’s social media environment, freedom of expression, hate speech, digital regulation and media accountability at the centre of a renewed national discussion.
Source: newsthemegh.com