SECTOR 1

“When we talk about the cause of media freedom and maintaining balance
with responsible reporting, we need to see what media freedom is intended to
achieve.”
Furthermore, media lobby groups are not very consistent in their advocacy efforts.
“Media groups advance the cause when it’s tough. But when things are going
well, they are not very active.”
In summary, while organisations such as GJA and the Media Foundation for
West Africa actively promote media freedoms, panellists agreed that more can
and should be done, while simultaneously emphasising responsible and ethical
reporting.

Scores:
Individual scores:
1

Country does not meet indicator

2

Country meets only a few aspects of indicator

3

Country meets some aspects of indicator

4

Country meets most aspects of indicator

5

Country meets all aspects of the indicator

Average score:

3.7 (2006:3.7; 2008:2.5; 2011:5.0;
2013:3.6)

1.11 Media legislation evolves from meaningful consultations among state institutions, citizens and interest groups.
Under the current constitution, Ghana has not seen many attempts at changing
or enhancing media legislation. The most substantive media legislation to have
emerged during this time is the Broadcasting Law and the Content Standards
Regulation (LI2224). The Right to Information Law is applicable to all citizens, but
can also be counted amongst laws impacting the media.
In bringing about the Broadcasting Law, a number of debates and discussions
were held. A panellist noted that perhaps there was even “over-consultation” in
this respect and that this over consultation may have become a tool for political
inaction. It is understood that there will likely be another series of consultations.
This raises an important question, “consultation amongst who?”

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER GHANA 2017

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