Ghana’s Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations Minister Samuel Nartey George declared the state will not shield the deliberate spread of fake news. He stated this commitment while affirming a free press remains a key pillar of democratic governance. The Minister’s remarks came during the 2nd Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) World Press Freedom Day Honours Night on June 6, 2026, where he represented President John Mahama.
Mr. George emphasised that press freedom will not serve as a shield for individuals creating false information to destabilise the country. He clarified that the government supports aggressive investigative journalism. However, the state is prepared to enforce legal order against systemic disinformation.
This stance aligns with Ghana's broader efforts to maintain stability and public trust in the digital age. The government has increasingly focused on the spread of misinformation, especially concerning its potential impact on national security and public health. Measures to regulate digital spaces are part of a wider policy to ensure information integrity.
Minister George addressed an audience of media executives, diplomats, and civil society leaders at the Alisa Hotel. He warned that propagating fabricated stories under the guise of editorial independence undermines legitimate journalism. He explicitly stated that such actions directly threaten national security, public health, and communal harmony.
“Not everything published or broadcast in Ghana today is journalism,” Minister George asserted. “Some of what circulates on our airwaves and digital platforms is deliberate falsehood, designed to inflame rather than inform.” He added that the state has a right and responsibility to address this threat to the public good. He insisted regulatory frameworks are instruments of order, not censorship, to be enforced proportionately.
To demonstrate the government's commitment to genuine journalism, Mr. George highlighted the current administration's record of political tolerance. He noted no media practitioner has suffered state-sponsored execution, forced exile, or arbitrary closure of media facilities. President Mahama, he explained, views rigorous media scrutiny as essential for political legitimacy.
Ghana’s ranking in the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index has significantly improved, climbing to 39th globally. This places Ghana among Africa's top countries for press freedom, a jump from 52nd place last year. The Minister attributed this progress to the local media's resilience and state investments in infrastructure, particularly nationwide broadband expansion.
Mr. George likened the internet to a modern printing press, noting that digital freedom requires active protection. He also stressed that true press freedom needs economic security. He challenged the GJA leadership to address media poverty, as poorly paid reporters are vulnerable to manipulation. The government is working on structural solutions to foster a self-sustaining, independent media economy.