Archbishop Agyinasare calls for responsible speech amid growing social media abuse

Archbishop Dr Charles Agyinasare, Founder and Leader of Perez Chapel International, has urged Ghanaians to exercise caution regarding the spread of unverified information, threats and personal attacks on social media. He addressed the growing trend of abusive language and vulgarity in public discourse, emphasizing that citizens can call for accountability and expose corruption without demeaning others.

Delivering his sermon on the theme "Watch Your Words: The Power and Responsibility of Our Speech" during a joint service concluding a week-long Breakthrough Conference in Accra, Agyinasare stressed that while smartphones and digital platforms have democratized broadcasting, they have also intensified the risk of false information dissemination, reputation damage, and the deepening of abusive public discourse.

He highlighted the ease of publishing and sharing information online, emphasizing that users bear a greater responsibility to verify facts before posting, commenting or sharing content. Agyinasare likened the digital age to having a microphone at everyone's disposal, stressing that the instantaneous global reach of such platforms requires users to ensure that shared information is truthful and responsible.

He cautioned that unverified online claims could quickly gain acceptance as truth if left unchecked. The Archbishop advised Christians to let their speech reflect their faith and urged social media users to apply a four-point test before sharing content: "Is it true? Have I established the facts? Is it gracious? Can I say it without humiliating someone?"

Drawing on Matthew 13:35, Ephesians 5:4 and Colossians 4:6, Agyinasare reminded believers that every individual is created in God's image and deserves dignity, regardless of differing opinions. He called upon Ghanaians to leverage their digital influence responsibly by promoting truth, enriching public discourse, and fostering a more respectful society through their online platforms.