SECTOR 2 2.3 The editorial independence of print media published by a public authority is protected adequately against undue political interference. The state publishes two print publications: The Ghanaian Times and the Daily Graphic. Article 162 of the Constitution guarantees the freedom and independence of all media, with 162 (4) noting that: “Editors and publishers of newspapers and other institutions of the mass media shall not be subject to control or interference by Government, nor shall they be penalised or harassed for their editorial opinions and views, or the content of their publications.” “The NMC oversees the operations of the state media, and the law enjoins NMC to ensure they are independent. We can’t discuss the independence of state media without discussing NMC.” Articles 166 and 167 “give oxygen to” the guarantee of media independence by bringing the NMC into being and empowering it “to insulate the state-owned media from governmental control.” The constitution further tasks the NMC with the appointment of board members and editors of state-owned media. The NMC’s independence is assured in Article 172 of the Constitution. Although Article 166 of the Constitution sets out the parameters of how the NMC should be constituted, its independence has come into question. One panellist posited that “the independence of NMC is not as strong as it would appear. In the formal structure laid out by the constitution, it may look like it only has three representatives from government, but there could be many more, indirectly increasing government’s influence over NMC.” “There may be subtle interference. Strong interference would be resisted!” Despite these constitutional guarantees, however, state-owned media houses may still be subject to political interference. “Some things are out of the hands of the NMC, and the media may be influenced indirectly, for example in the placement of adverts, and so on. But depending on how you take on the state, you may experience it differently.” “We have strong institutions, but very weak men and women”, noted one panellist, who argued that despite the presence of an independent NMC, some journalists and editors are not bold enough, and so allow for ‘self-censorship’ or other forms of political influence. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER GHANA 2017 29