In today’s digital age, the role of the media in shaping public opinion and holding those in power accountable is more crucial than ever. However, the ownership dynamics of media houses have come under increasing scrutiny for the impact they have on the ongoing challenges faced by the press.

Sulemana Braimah, the Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), has been vocal about the implications of this ownership dynamic, highlighting the profound challenges it poses to media freedom and journalistic integrity in the country.

His concerns, which stem from a careful analysis of media practices over the past few years, underscored the urgent need for a national conversation on the state of press freedom in Ghana.

“We have a situation where our media organisations are owned by partisan folks. A lot of media houses are set up not for journalism but for the business of political propaganda for the business of driving the interest of owners.”
Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)

Mr Braimah stated that the MFWA’s findings from a recent monitoring period between May 2020 and June 2021 reveal the extent of the problem. The organization recorded approximately 2,710 incidents of ethical violations among media outlets during this period.

Alarmingly, Mr Braimah revealed that nearly 60% of these violations were linked to media organizations that were overtly partisan. This statistic is not just a number; it is a stark reminder of the compromised state of journalism in Ghana.

Ethical violations in journalism are serious breaches that can undermine public trust in the media. When nearly two-thirds of these violations occur in media outlets with clear political leanings, it raises questions about the true intentions behind their reporting. Are these outlets committed to informing the public, or are they more interested in shaping public opinion to favor their political patrons?

Mr. Braimah’s observations pointed to a critical need for a national dialogue on the future of media in Ghana. If the country is to uphold the principles of free and independent journalism, it must address the issue of partisan media ownership head-on. This will require not only regulatory reforms but also a cultural shift in how media is perceived and valued in the country.

Erosion of Media Freedom

Mr. Braimah’s concerns go beyond just the ownership structure of media organizations. He also highlighted the broader implications for media freedom in Ghana.

Defending media freedom becomes an uphill battle when journalists are more aligned with political interests than with the principles of truth and objectivity. In such an environment, the very essence of journalism—holding power to account—is compromised.

The difficulty in defending journalists, especially those who face backlash for their critical commentary, is another issue that Mr. Braimah brought to light.

“If you have somebody sit on the media and says that anyone who votes for the current government is a fool or is a goat and nothing happens, the person is still on air.”
Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)

Mr. Braimah also cited that when a journalist takes to the airwaves to suggest that the country’s military generals are weak and call for a coup d’état, the situation becomes precarious.

According to Mr. Braimah, these statements not only endanger the individuals who make them but also put the broader concept of media freedom at risk. Defending such statements under the banner of free speech is a double-edged sword that can ultimately undermine the credibility of the media as a whole.

Ghana has long been regarded as a beacon of democracy in West Africa, with a vibrant and free press serving as one of the pillars of its democratic institutions. However, the current trajectory, where media freedom is increasingly threatened by partisan interests, puts this reputation at risk.

The time has come for stakeholders—including government, civil society, and the media itself—to come together and chart a path forward that safeguards the independence and integrity of journalism in Ghana.