Press freedom must go beyond promises
Thirty years of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards is a remarkable milestone worth celebrating. Over the years, the awards have recognised journalists whose work has informed the public, exposed wrongdoing and contributed to Ghana’s democratic development. However, as the Association marked this anniversary, the occasion also offered an opportunity to reflect on the … The post…
For three decades, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards have celebrated journalists who inform the public, expose wrongdoing and foster Ghana’s democratic development. Yet, as the Association commemorates this significant milestone, it also prompts a critical examination of the challenges facing the media landscape, particularly press freedom, journalists’ safety, meager wages, and the rising menace of misinformation.
While Ghanaian Times acknowledges these issues demand more than mere speeches and assurances, it calls for concrete actions from government, media proprietors, regulators and journalists themselves.
President John Dramani Mahama’s pledge of GH¢10 million in the upcoming 2027 national budget as seed capital for the reactivated Media Development Fund is a positive step. This fund aims to bolster journalists’ welfare, professional growth, investigative reporting, and safety training, with contributions from corporate entities expected as well.
However, the effectiveness of this initiative hinges on transparency, impartiality, and independence. Access to the fund cannot be swayed by political affiliation or editorial stances; rather, it must bolster journalism without morphing into a tool for swaying editorial choices.
Alarmingly, GJA President, Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, revealed that the Association has documented over 50 instances of attacks, assaults, arrests, and harassment of journalists between 2022 and January 2026. This statistic should alarm every Ghanaian who cherishes democracy. Journalists are accountable to the law, yet they should not be subjected to assault, threats, or unlawful detention while conducting their professional duties.
Moreover, the involvement of security personnel in certain incidents heightens the gravity of the situation. President Mahama’s commitment to addressing such incidents through action must translate into concrete measures. These measures should include transparent investigations and the accountability of perpetrators, irrespective of their political affiliations or positions within the security forces.
The Ghanaian Times’ report on the 2026 World Press Freedom Index shows a commendable improvement from 52nd to 39th position. However, such rankings should not lull us into complacency. Press freedom must be evaluated by the daily experiences of journalists, not just by global indices. The issue of journalists’ welfare is equally vital.
Low pay, inconsistent salaries, and job insecurity jeopardize media independence. Journalists struggling to meet basic financial obligations might be susceptible to inducements and manipulation. Media owners must recognize that exceptional journalism demands investment in the individuals who create it. It is unreasonable to expect professionalism and independence while simultaneously failing to provide journalists with reasonable working conditions.
Simultaneously, journalists must maintain the highest ethical standards. Sensationalism, unsubstantiated allegations, misinformation, and hate speech erode public trust and national unity. Media practitioners must verify information, rectify errors promptly, and differentiate facts from opinions. We commend all the award recipients, especially Philip Osei Bonsu of the Multimedia Group, who was honored as GJA/P.A.V.
Ansah Journalist of the Year, and Benedicta Gyimah Foley of The Ghanaian Times, who won Best Feature Reporting, Print. However, appreciating excellence should also entail fostering an environment where such achievements can flourish. We urge the government to fulfill its promises, media proprietors to enhance journalists’ welfare, security agencies to respect press freedom, and the GJA to steadfastly defend the rights and professional standards of its members.
Celebrating thirty years of recognizing journalistic excellence should signify more than a mere anniversary. Ghana cannot forge a stronger democracy on top of a weakened, intimidated, and underpaid media. Safeguarding journalists is not a favor to the profession; it is an investment in our democracy.
Written by urgent.news from Ghanaian Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
