{
  "id": 10513159,
  "title": "Shatta Wale appeals to Mahama for balanced framework to tackle social media abuse without stifling free speech",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/shatta-wale-appeals-to-mahama-for-balanced-framework-to-tackle-social",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-28T18:35:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/shatta-wale-appeals-to-mahama-for-balanced-framework-to-tackle-social-media-abuse-without-stifling-free-speech/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ghanaian musician Shatta Wale has urged President John Dramani Mahama to develop a balanced approach to addressing defamation, harassment, and abuse on social media platforms while safeguarding free speech. In a letter to Mahama dated September 28, the artist proposed a clearly defined legal framework, due process, and independent judicial oversight to tackle harmful online content. The call for a national stakeholder dialogue on regulating TikTok and other new media platforms came after Mahama's town hall meeting in New York on September 25. Shatta Wale, who has faced accusations and ridicule as a public figure, argued that online abuse extends beyond celebrities and affects traditional leaders, businesspeople, journalists, public officials, and ordinary citizens. He stressed that while freedom of speech and media must be protected, it should not permit threats, harassment, or the spread of false information. Shatta Wale suggested that Parliament, the Judiciary, security agencies, media institutions, and civil society work together to establish the legal framework, ensuring full due process and independent oversight. He also advocated for improved account verification on social media platforms, using the existing Ghana Card and SIM registration system, with cooperation from platforms on lawful court requests. Shatta Wale cautioned against making anonymity a blanket requirement for public discourse and proposed proportionate penalties for specific online offenses. He called for public education on responsible online behavior and urged early consultation with the creative industry in the regulatory process. Shatta Wale's proposals aim to balance accountability with constitutional freedoms, preventing suppression of public criticism and restoring responsibility in public conversation.",
  "summary": "Ghanaian artiste Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr., popularly known as Shatta Wale, has called for a balanced framework to tackle defamation, harassment and other forms of abuse on social media while protecting freedom of expression.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}