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2 clusters · 8 sources · 7 days · First seen 7 days ago · Last updated about 19 hours ago

Ghanaian government efforts to regulate online speech

Overview

President John Dramani Mahama has initiated efforts to address online hate speech and abusive content on digital platforms in Ghana. He has tasked the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) with leading a national stakeholder engagement to develop a roadmap for managing harmful online conduct, such as threats and incitement.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Mahama addressed the rising trend of personal attacks and insults on social media. Describing himself as having ‘crocodile skin’ due to his political experience, he questioned the justification for arresting social media users for making inflammatory or insulting remarks about public officials. He called for a national conversation to determine the appropriate boundaries between legitimate political criticism and harmful content, specifically regarding the regulation of platforms like TikTok.

In response to the President’s call for dialogue, Ghanaian dancehall artist Shatta Wale issued an open letter proposing a legal framework to combat social media defamation and harassment. While acknowledging the 1992 Constitution’s guarantees of freedom of speech, Shatta Wale argued that these rights should not license the spread of damaging falsehoods or public ridicule. His recommendations include developing clearly defined laws with independent judicial oversight and ensuring social media platforms cooperate with court-ordered requests to identify accounts involved in proven misconduct, while protecting satire and political expression.

In support of media practitioners, the MFWA has launched a GH¢544,000 legal support fund, backed by the European Union, to protect journalists from Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPP) suits.

Entities

Ghana Journalists Association · John Dramani Mahama · Ghana · Media Foundation for West Africa · Sampson Lardi Anyenini

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] President Mahama stated he is unfazed by personal attacks and insults directed at him. ghananewss.com · starrfm.com.gh
[○ 1 SOURCE] The President questioned the necessity of arresting social media users for trivial or incendiary comments. starrfm.com.gh
[○ 1 SOURCE] Mahama proposed a stakeholder forum involving the Ghana Journalists Association and the Media Foundation for West Africa to discuss online regulation. starrfm.com.gh
[○ 1 SOURCE] The President's Executive Secretary has written to the Ghana Journalists Association regarding social media content. starrfm.com.gh
[○ 1 SOURCE] The government has acquired the right-of-way for the Accra-Kumasi Expressway. 3news.com

Timeline

about 19 hours ago

[POLITICS] 2 sources
Shatta Wale urges President Mahama to reform social media laws
Musician Shatta Wale has urged President Mahama to implement social media regulations that tackle defamation and harassment without compromising Ghana’s constitutional freedom of expression.
7 days ago

[POLITICS] 6 sources
Ghana President tasks MFWA and GJA to address online hate speech
President Mahama has tasked the MFWA and GJA to develop a roadmap for addressing online hate speech in Ghana, while the MFWA launched a legal fund to protect journalists from nuisance lawsuits.

Sources

adomonline.com · asaaseradio.com · gbcghanaonline.com · ghanaguardian.com · myjoyonline.com · opemsuo.com · otecfmghana.com · starrfm.com.gh

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history