In a recent conversation, Denmark’s Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Tom Nørring has clarified Denmark’s consistent performance in global rankings, particularly in areas of governance and press freedom.
His commentary highlighted the foundational principles of trust, accountability, and press freedom, which have played pivotal roles in Denmark’s societal success.
At the heart of Denmark’s success, Ambassador Tom Nørring emphasized the importance of trust as a fundamental component of the Danish societal framework. He stressed how trust is central to how Denmark has maintained its stability and high rankings over the years, especially in journalism.
“We build our society very much on trust, whether we talk about trust in our state institutions, in government institutions, in our politicians, but also in each other.”
His Excellency Tom Nørring Denmark’ Ambassador to Ghana
H.E Tom Nørring elaborated that trust is not just a matter of expression but that which must be backed by accountability. The reciprocal nature of trust, between the people and their institutions, ensures that trust is both earned and maintained over time. He emphasized; “And that trust has to be met, of course. It’s not enough to express a trust. You have to have that trust met.”
The Role of Press Freedom in Accountability
A significant aspect of the ambassador’s discussion was his emphasis on press freedom. Meanwhile, Denmark has long recognized the importance of a free and independent press in maintaining transparency and accountability in its institutions.
“Having a strong and independent media is part of that trust-building. The fact that if things go wrong, there’s somebody there, you can call it the watchdogs of society to keep – our institutions, politicians, businesses, and CSOs accountable.”
His Excellency Tom Nørring Denmark’ Ambassador to Ghana
He went on to describe press freedom as a fundamental human right. He asserted; “Press freedom is the one guarantee that all the other human rights are being acknowledged and respected.”
Investigative Journalism: Uncovering the Truth
Beyond simply reporting daily news, Tom Nørring highlighted the importance of investigative journalism. For Denmark, investigative journalism has been a critical component in uncovering deeper truths and ensuring that no one cover up wrongdoings.
“The role of the journalist is definitely to report, but it’s also to look for the truth wherever it is and whoever is covering it up and [it’s sometimes ] the idea about government covering something up, It can be companies, it can be private organizations.”
His Excellency Tom Nørring Denmark’ Ambassador to Ghana
The ambassador emphasized the requirements of good journalism.
“You need good research. I think that’s part of good journalism, good media houses do your research and do investigative journalism so that you dig underneath the surface for the truth.”
His Excellency Tom Nørring Denmark’ Ambassador to Ghana
Lessons for Ghana: Building an Independent Media
When asked what Ghana could learn from Denmark’s experience, Tom Nørring was careful not to present himself as a preacher but instead offered practical advice.
“You need to ensure that you have a strong media in itself, that the media houses are strong, that they have themselves respect for what a good journalist is.”
His Excellency Tom Nørring Denmark’ Ambassador to Ghana
One key point Tom Norring stressed was the importance of ensuring that the media is not influenced by political parties or special interest groups.
He underscored the idea that journalists should be allowed the freedom to ask difficult questions, no matter how uncomfortable it may be for those in power.
“We have to respect, at all times, that the media, the journalists, are not necessarily going to be just the megaphone of one or the other political party one or the other interest organization but they are indeed there to ask the tricky questions and to get to the truth.”
His Excellency Tom Nørring Denmark’ Ambassador to Ghana
Building an independent media and a society based on trust takes time, as the Danish experience has shown. He reiterated; “This is really something that has happened over many, many years, if not 100’s of years, to reach a point where we are today, and I’m not saying it’s perfect.”
Despite its imperfections, the ambassador firmly believes that a free and independent press is vital for any functioning democracy. He emphasized the importance of honoring the role of journalists, even when they make those in power uncomfortable. He noted; “We have to recognize the right of the journalist to do that and to dig deeper to find the truth.”
In his conversation, Ambassador Tom Nørring provided a comprehensive understanding of how trust, accountability, and press freedom contribute to the success of Danish society.
While Denmark’s model may not be perfect, its commitment to these principles offers valuable lessons for other nations, including Ghana.
The ambassador’s words served as a reminder of the importance of independent media, professional journalism, and the long-term effort required to build a society based on trust and accountability.
READ ALSO; Cardi B Denies Plastic Surgery Rumor After Childbirth
