By Sefah DANQUAH
A free and independent press plays a critical role in fostering democratic governance and societal development. Governments worldwide are always being reminded of their commitment to uphold press freedom.
In Ghana, a country often recognised for its democratic progress in Africa, the media landscape faces evolving challenges – particularly with the rise of information distortion.
As AI technologies increasingly influence how news is created, distributed and consumed, new questions emerge about information integrity and journalistic quality.
Press freedom comes with the extra task of examining how misinformation, disinformation and propaganda—now amplified by emerging technologies—threaten the foundation of quality journalism in Ghana. Information distortion encompasses various forms of false or misleading content that contaminate our information ecosystem:
- Misinformation: False information spread without malicious intent, often due to error or lack of verification.
- Disinformation: Deliberately fabricated false information intended to deceive or manipulate public opinion.
- Propaganda: Biased or misleading information used to promote particular political viewpoints.
- Malinformation: Genuine information shared with intent to cause harm, such as decontextualised facts.
Several factors have accelerated the spread of distorted information in Ghana’s media landscape:
- Social media proliferation: Platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, X and TikTok have removed traditional gatekeeping functions, allowing unverified information to spread rapidly.
- AI-generated content: The emergence of artificial intelligence tools capable of creating convincing but fabricated text, images and videos presents new verification challenges for journalists and audiences alike.
- Political polarisation: Ghana’s increasingly partisan political environment has fostered media outlets that prioritise political agenda over journalistic integrity.
- Economic pressures: Financial constraints facing media houses have reduced investment in fact-checking resources and investigative journalism.
- Regulatory gaps: Existing frameworks struggle to address digital content challenges, particularly AI-generated misinformation.
Recent years have witnessed numerous instances of information distortion affecting public discourse:
- Election misinformation: During the 2024 General Elections, false claims about electoral processes spread widely across digital platforms, with some traditional media amplifying these unverified allegations.
- Health disinformation: Fabricated stories about health issues and treatments continue to affect public health efforts, often mixing genuine concerns with unfounded claims.
- AI-generated deepfakes: Synthetic media purporting to show Ghanaian public figures making controversial statements have begun circulating on social media, with some making their way into news coverage without proper verification.
The proliferation of distorted information poses serious threats to journalism in Ghana:
When outlets fail to distinguish between fact and fiction, their credibility suffers. Each instance of published misinformation erodes audience trust, creating a dangerous cycle where public scepticism extends to all media, including accurate reporting.
Information distortion has contributed to declining trust in media institutions. Recent surveys indicate that public confidence in Ghanaian media has decreased significantly over the past five years, threatening journalism’s democratic function.
When distorted information becomes prevalent, citizens’ ability to make informed decisions is compromised, whether regarding voting choices, health decisions or economic matters.
Ghanaian journalists face significant obstacles in combating information distortion:
- Resource constraints: Limited budgets restrict investment in verification tools, databases and specialised training needed to identify sophisticated misinformation.
- AI technology gap: Many journalists lack the technical knowledge to effectively identify AI-generated content and verify digital information.
- Competitive pressures: The rush to publish often overrides verification processes, particularly in a digital environment where speed is prized.
- Political and commercial interference: Pressure from political actors and advertisers continues to influence coverage in many outlets.
Solutions and recommendations
Addressing information distortion requires coordinated action:
For journalists and media organisations
- Strengthen verification processes: Establish dedicated fact-checking units equipped with AI detection tools and digital verification resources.
- Embrace transparency: Clearly communicate sourcing practices and implement consistent correction policies.
- Invest in AI literacy: Develop training programmes specifically addressing AI-generated content detection and ethical AI use in journalism.
- Develop sustainable models: Explore funding approaches that reduce dependence on sensationalism while maintaining editorial independence.
For regulatory bodies and government
- Update media regulations: Develop frameworks addressing digital challenges while protecting press freedom.
- Support independent media: Create transparent mechanisms to fund public interest journalism without compromising editorial independence.
- Promote media literacy: Integrate information literacy into educational curricula at all levels.
For civil society and educational institutions
- Expand media literacy programmes: Equip citizens with critical thinking skills to evaluate information sources, particularly AI-generated content.
- Create public awareness: Launch campaigns about identifying reliable sources and recognising signs of manipulated information.
Conclusion
As Ghana marks World Press Freedom Day 2025, we must recognise that quality journalism faces both traditional challenges and new threats from advanced technologies like AI. Information distortion undermines the media’s ability to inform citizens, hold power accountable and facilitate meaningful public discourse.
Addressing these challenges requires collective action from all stakeholders. Journalists must commit to verification and ethical standards. Media organisations must prioritise accuracy over expediency. Regulatory bodies must create enabling environments for quality journalism. Educational institutions must promote critical information literacy.
The stakes are high. In an era where distorted information—increasingly sophisticated and AI-enhanced—can influence elections, undermine public health and inflame social tensions, quality journalism remains essential to Ghana’s democratic future.
This World Press Freedom Day, let us recommit to preserving and strengthening the integrity of journalism in our brave new world.
>>>the writer is the host of Happy Morning Show (HMS) on Happy 98.9FM. He can be reached via [email protected]
