info@businessghana.com
Ghana has been ranked as having the best atmosphere of freedom for media practitioners. Mr. Tirso dos Santos, Country Representative of UNESCO, who announced this at a symposium, which forms part of the activities to mark World Press Freedom Day, said the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) also ranked Ghana 23rd on the global level, ahead of the United States, United Kingdom and South Africa.
Ghana moved up from the 26th position it occupied among 180 countries last year.
Since 2002, the RSF has been publishing the World Press Freedom index, which measures the level of pluralism, media independence, respect for safety and freedom, among other variables. Mr dos Santos commended the regulators of media freedom and media practitioners for utilising the freedom space provided.
He also urged practitioners to be mindful of their responsibility to be truthful on the basis of facts; and also their responsibility to be accurate in their reportage. Themed, “Addressing Press Freedom in Ghana’s- The Search for Democracy: Lessons learned and the Way Forward”, the symposium discussed the various stages of journalism in the country through the years, and also, the need to protect the freedom enjoyed with responsible journalism and uncompromised independence.
The Reverend Professor Emmanuel Asante, the Chairman of the Peace Council, chaired the symposium. Mr. Cameron Duodu, ace journalist and a Former Editor of the Daily Graphic, Dr. Anthony Bonah-Koomson, a media consultant, Madam Mavis Kitcher, Editor of the Junior Graphic, Assistant Commissioner of Police, David Eklu, Director-General of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, Nana Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng, Chairman of the National Media Commission, among others, contributed to the discussions.
Ghana is hosting this year’s World Press Freedom Day, which is observed every May 3.
