President John Dramani Mahama has assured Ghanaians that the Cybersecurity Amendment Bill, 2025, and the Misinformation and Disinformation Bill currently before Parliament are not designed to stifle free expression but to protect citizens and uphold truth in the digital space.
Delivering the keynote address at the 29th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards in Kumasi, President Mahama emphasised that while digital tools had democratized access to information, they also enabled the spread of hate speech, defamation, misinformation, and cyberbullying.
“The need for responsible regulation is real. These digital tools that have democratized information now also enable hate, defamation, and cyberbullying,” the President noted.
He said the bills before Parliament were not meant to restrict expression but to safeguard citizens and uphold truth in the digital realm.
President Mahama acknowledged that both the Ghana Journalists Association and civil society groups had raised legitimate concerns about aspects of the proposed laws, assuring that his government would engage transparently and constructively to address them.
“Our aim is to extend the ethical standards of traditional journalism into the digital space without infringing on constitutional freedoms. Freedom of expression does not include freedom to ruin reputations or incite violence,” he said.
He reiterated that the boundaries of free speech end where peace and human dignity were endangered, stressing that responsible communication was essential to sustaining Ghana’s democracy.
The President also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen relations between the government and the media, revealing that the media engagement session held on September 3 marked the start of regular dialogues between the Presidency and the Ghanaian media.
The next interaction, he announced, will coincide with the first anniversary of his administration.
Additionally, President Mahama disclosed plans to reactivate the Media Development Fund following broad consultations with industry stakeholders.
The fund, he said, would support journalist welfare, investigative reporting, media literacy, and safety training to ensure that practitioners work “confidently, competently, and securely.”
The 29th GJA Media Awards, held on the theme: “Safeguarding Ghana’s Future: The Role of the Media in Promoting Peace, Security and the Fight Against Galamsey,” celebrated outstanding contributions to journalism and reaffirmed the media’s constitutional role in defending democracy and national development. GNA
