An Educationist and Political Analyst, William Boadi has urged media practitioners and journalists in the country to demand accountability from the ruling New Patriotic Party administration.
Mr Boadi in a statement expressed deep concerns over what he described as a disturbing trend of bias and selective criticism under the current administration, undermining the essence of objective journalism under the current administration.
“Many journalists and media houses appear to be myopic and hypocritical, often scrutinizing the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government with an intensity that is glaringly absent when it comes to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government”.
William Boadi, Educationist and political analyst
The perceived bias and selective criticism among media practitioners and journalists according to Mr Boadi is not only unfair but also detrimental to the country’s democratic fabric.
Uneven Scrutiny of Government Policies
During the previous National Democratic Congress’s tenure, the political analyst indicated that the media relentlessly scrutinized every policy, decision, and misstep, holding the government accountable with rigorous precision.
This level of scrutiny, Mr Boadi argued, while it is essential for maintaining transparency and ensuring that the government remains responsive to the needs of the people has declined under the New Patriotic Party administration.
He emphasized that under the current NPP administration, the same media houses and journalists who were once vocal critics seem to have adopted a more subdued tone, despite the evident economic challenges and governance issues confronting the country.
Current Economic Challenges
Highlighting the country’s current economic challenges, the educationist and political analyst, William Boadi stated that Ghana’s economy is currently facing significant problems, including rising inflation, high unemployment rates, and a depreciating currency.
He recounted that these issues have led to widespread public discontent, questioning why the media’s response has been disappointingly muted.
“The critical voices that once championed the cause of the ordinary Ghanaian seem to have been silenced or are choosing to look the other way. This selective criticism raises questions about the integrity and independence of Ghanaian journalism”.
William Boadi, Educationist and political analyst
The Role of the Media in a Democracy
Moreover, William Boadi highlighted the critical role of the media in the country’s democracy, stating that the media’s role is to act as the fourth estate, holding power to account irrespective of the ruling party.
He argued that when journalists and media houses fail to maintain impartiality, they betray the trust of the public and compromise their credibility.
Mr Boadi emphasized that the current silence by the media regarding the New Patriotic Party administration’s handling of the economy exemplifies this betrayal.
“Hypocrisy in the media is not just a matter of selective criticism but also of selective silence. By not addressing the NPP government’s failures with the same vigour as they did the NDC’s, the media is implicitly condoning these failures. This silence can be interpreted as tacit approval, which can embolden the government to continue on a path that may not be in the best interest of the country”.
William Boadi, Educationist and political analyst
The Impact of Media Bias
Highlighting the consequences of media practitioners and journalists failure to hold the incumbent government accountable for its mandate, Mr Boadi indicated the perceived “myopic approach” to journalism in recent times diminishes the media’s role as a watchdog.
He added that when journalists focus disproportionately on one political party while giving another a free pass, they create an unbalanced narrative that misleads the public.
This imbalance according to him can skew public perception and influence electoral outcomes, ultimately undermining the democratic process.
A Call for Recommitment to Journalism Principles
In a fervent call to action, the renowned educationist and political analyst urged Ghanaian journalists and media houses to reclaim their role as impartial arbiters of truth, adding that journalists must hold all governments accountable, regardless of political affiliation.
He emphasized that such an approach requires a recommitment to the principles of fairness, accuracy, and objectivity.
“The media must be the voice of the voiceless, the watchdog that guards against abuse of power, and the platform where diverse opinions can be heard. Look, the current state of Ghanaian journalism, marked by hypocrisy and myopia, is a disservice to the nation. The media must rise above partisan biases and ensure that their scrutiny is fair and balanced”.
William Boadi, Educationist and political analyst
According to him, it is only through effective journalism that can truly help the media to fulfil its role in strengthening Ghana’s democracy and promoting good governance, emphasizing that the silence of the media must end, and the media must speak truth to power, regardless of who holds that power.
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