The Deputy Minority Whip, Honourable Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has cautioned against what he described as a worrying decline in democratic communication.
He said the digital landscape now bears significant weight in shaping national unity and civic trust.
The Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe Constituency expressed concern over the shift from traditional print media to constant digital streams.
He noted that these platforms now strongly influence how citizens perceive institutions and one another.
He further observed that headlines and broadcasts currently determine public opinion more than ever before.
He stressed that this development places a heavy responsibility on both Parliament and the media.
According to him, words have become powerful instruments capable of either healing divisions or strengthening them.
He maintained that truth remains the only stable foundation for a healthy democracy.
He also warned that the growing use of insulting and inflammatory language signals a decline in public discourse. He said such trends reflect instability as it doesn’t indicate maturity in democratic engagement.
“In recent years, we have witnessed an alarming rise in the use of insulting, degrading, and inflammatory language in public communication. This is not the hallmark of a mature democracy; it is the symptom of a discourse in decline. Let me be clear: freedom of expression is sacrosanct, but freedom does not absolve responsibility. Freedom is not absolute.”
Hon. Jerry Ahmed Shaib, MP for Weija-Gbawe Constituency And Deputy Minority Whip
The Deputy Minority Whip reiterated that freedom of expression remains a constitutional right in Ghana. He added that this freedom still requires a strong sense of responsibility from all users.
He criticised public figures who rely on insults, saying they weaken debate and replace reason with hostility.
He added that such conduct damages public trust and promotes sensationalism over logic.
Honourable Shaib called on digital content creators to improve the tone of public communication.
He said civility should be seen as a mark of strength and wisdom in society.
He further argued that truth is a key pillar of responsible journalism and democratic practice. He warned that democracy becomes hollow when truth is removed from public communication.
He urged journalists and content creators to prioritise truth over popularity or political advantage. He said trust between citizens and leaders depends on consistent honesty in reporting.
He also called for stronger verification and impartial reporting to counter misinformation. He urged media practitioners to recommit to these standards to protect national integrity.
He acknowledged that all editorial work may carry some level of bias or perspective. He, however, said honesty about such bias is better than disguising it as neutrality.
“Every editorial choice, every headline, every omission carries perspective. Yet, there is a difference between perspective and propaganda, between bias that is acknowledged and bias that masquerades as neutrality. We do not ask the media to be devoid of opinion; we ask the media to be honest about its stance”
Hon. Jerry Ahmed Shaib, MP for Weija-Gbawe Constituency And Deputy Minority Whip
He explained that transparency helps audiences better understand and evaluate information sources.
He advised media practitioners to openly declare their perspectives to avoid misleading the public.
Shaib Condemns State Weaponisation Against Digital Critics And Media Freedom
Concerns over free speech and political expression were raised by the Deputy Minority Whip. For him, certain state institutions are being used against journalists and government critics.
Recent incidents involving digital creators were also highlighted, where state interference was alleged over online content.
A free press, according to him, only exists when the rule of law is applied equally to all citizens. With selective prosecution, democratic communication is weakened.
“A free press and free digital expression can only thrive in an environment where the rule of law applies equally to all citizens, regardless of political affiliation or editorial position. When state security agencies, prosecutorial offices, and judicial processes are selectively deployed to silence, harass, and intimidate, the very foundation of democratic communication is undermined.”
Hon. Jerry Ahmed Shaib, MP for Weija-Gbawe Constituency And Deputy Minority Whip
He pointed to worrying patterns that appear to threaten constitutional governance. Article 14, which guarantees bail rights for arrested persons, was specifically referenced.
Opposition arrests, he noted, are sometimes seen less as justice and more as political messaging.
Judicial independence, he argued, suffers when judges fear consequences for their rulings. With political pressure on the courts, both leaders and ordinary citizens become vulnerable.
The use of nolle prosequi was further criticised as potentially undermining fairness in legal proceedings. Prosecutors, for the MP, must serve the law and not political interests.
Harassment, he noted, is not limited to politicians but extends to activists and online commentators.
Digital creators, in his view, have become key voices in defending democracy through expression.
The Minority Caucus, he pledged, will stand with individuals who face intimidation for speaking out.
With that position, he called on state institutions to remain neutral and serve all citizens without bias
He also added that Parliament carries a responsibility to ensure accountability within the police and judiciary.
These institutions, he stressed, must not be turned into tools for political confrontation.
The relationship between Parliament and the media was described as a necessary partnership for accountability. With both working together, truth and national development are better served.
He called for a national communication culture that uplifts citizens and urged leaders, media practitioners to prioritise truth and institutional integrity.
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