BoG Governor Johnson Asiama says professional journalism is vital in fighting digital misinformation

Bank of Ghana Governor Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama emphasized on Saturday, November 7, 2026, during the 30th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards in Accra, the vital role of professional journalism in combating digital misinformation. He described journalism as "society's compass," highlighting its importance in helping citizens navigate the complexities of the digital age.

Asiama noted that while digital platforms have provided unprecedented opportunities for public participation and information sharing, they have also led to issues such as misinformation, disinformation, online abuse, misleading data, and hate speech.

According to Asiama, professional journalism serves as a crucial safeguard in distinguishing facts from falsehoods, turning speculation into evidence, and transforming sensationalism into informed analysis. He firmly stated that journalists act as guardians of public discourse, fostering social cohesion, fostering well-informed debates, and upholding democratic principles.

Asiama further underscored the media's responsibility in making intricate economic and financial matters comprehensible to the general public, such as monetary policy decisions, inflation trends, financial sector reforms, exchange rate movements, and digital financial innovations. He stressed that effective journalism involves translating these complex subjects into information that citizens can understand and apply to their daily lives.

The GJA Media Awards, themed "Celebrating Excellence, Advancing Media Freedom and Combating Hate Speech in the Digital Age," underscored the necessity of preserving press freedom while promoting responsible journalism in a digital era. The Bank of Ghana pledged to continue supporting efforts that recognize excellence in economic and financial reporting.