{
  "id": 9198998,
  "title": "Mahama administration not clamping down on free speech – Shamima Muslim",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/mahama-administration-not-clamping-down-on-free-speech-shamima-muslim",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-22T20:50:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/mahama-administration-not-clamping-down-on-free-speech-shamima-muslim/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Shamima Muslim, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, has dismissed allegations that the Mahama administration is restricting free speech. She emphasized that President John Mahama is a staunch supporter of freedom of expression. The government, she clarified, has not attempted to stifle genuine expression, although they could resort to existing criminal laws if they perceive breaches. \"President Mahama himself champions free speech,\" she stated. This assertion comes during a heated discussion about the application of criminal laws in relation to speech offenses and worries about their impact on free speech. Addressing the Broadcasters Convention – West Africa 2026 in Accra, Muslim suggested that debates over the interpretation and application of laws should persist among concerned parties. \"Various stakeholders have divergent viewpoints on the interpretation or execution of certain criminal code sections,\" she noted. Muslim reiterated that the administration's stance on free expression remains unaltered, cautioning that unchecked and irresponsible speech could lead to detrimental societal outcomes.",
  "summary": "Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, Shamima Muslim, has rejected claims that the Mahama administration is clamping down on free speech, insisting that President John Mahama remains a strong advocate for 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."
}