Media Responsibility in the Digital Age: Mahama Urges Accountability in Navigating New Media Landscape

President John Dramani Mahama has underscored the urgent need for media regulation in the era of social media, warning that the unchecked growth of digital communication poses a threat to national stability.

Speaking at the recent presidential media encounter, the former President highlighted the ongoing shift from traditional outlets to new media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). He noted that this transformation has redefined how information is disseminated, but also opened the door to risks if left unregulated.

“Today, anybody with a phone and a camera can report news or comment on national issues,” Mahama observed. “If we don’t regulate this sector, it can one day lead this nation into conflict.”

The President pointed to incidents in Bawku and Gonja, where inflammatory social media content has escalated tensions, as evidence of the dangers of unmonitored digital communication. He stressed the importance of accountability for content creators in order to prevent potential social conflicts and safeguard peace.

While recalling the abolition of Ghana’s criminal libel law as a milestone in media freedom, Mahama was quick to clarify that existing legal tools remain in place to address harmful online behaviour, particularly hate speech and incitement to violence.

His call for responsible digital communication, he said, is not an attempt to stifle free expression but rather a necessary intervention to preserve social harmony and protect democracy in the digital age.