By During the ‘Joy Change-Speaker Series VII’ on a recent edition of NewsFile, Bishop Dr. Suzanne Nti, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Head of Legal at Action Chapel International, raised concerns about the escalating political influence over Ghana’s media landscape, especially as the country approaches the December 2024 elections.
Highlighting her worries, Madam Nti underscored the risks associated with the increasing trend of political capture within media entities. She emphasized the immediate need to address this issue to protect the integrity of the electoral process.
Madam Nti stressed the potential ramifications of political ownership on journalistic integrity, acknowledging that while many journalists strive for truthful and unbiased reporting, political influence may impede their efforts.
She cautioned that failing to address this issue could jeopardize the media’s role as the fourth estate of the realm, as enshrined in Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
Highlighting the significance of preserving media independence, Madam Nti emphasized the necessity of maintaining its watchdog function for democracy.
Given these concerns, she urged stakeholders to take proactive steps to curb political interference in the media, asserting that addressing this matter promptly is crucial for Ghana’s democratic stability and advancement.
“As we look ahead to the elections, it’s crucial that we address the challenges and the threats that can undermine the credibility of the process, and the media is pivotal in promoting transparency, accountability and integrity in the electoral process, and we commend the journalists and reporters who work tirelessly to uphold these principles of truth and impartiality to some extent. But we must importantly deal with the political capture of the media landscape to ensure this achieved,” she stated.
