Former Information Minister slams media houses for hiring untrained journalists

Former Minister for Information, Fatimatu Abubakar has criticized the growing trend of hiring unqualified personnel in media organizations, emphasizing that some outlets prioritize appearance over professional competence.​

Speaking at a public lecture organized by the Ghana School of Law (GSL), in partnership with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, at the conference room of the University of Ghana’s Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) on April 11, she addressed the issue under the theme, “Misinformation, Democracy, Security: The Legal Response in a Digital Age and the Promotion of Information Integrity.”

She pointed out that many media houses are hiring individuals with no formal journalism training and little understanding of media ethics or laws.

“Today, many media houses employ individuals who have never been to journalism school. They hire based on looks—handsome young men and beautiful women with TV-friendly features. No one talks to them about ethics or professionalism; they have no idea about media law.”

The former Information Minister also called for constitutional amendments to address emerging challenges posed by artificial intelligence and social media, pointing out that existing laws are inadequate for the digital era.

“Most of our laws predate social media and AI. It’s time to consider amendments that address current and future challenges.”

Former Deputy Attorney General Alfred Tuah-Yeboah also spoke at the event, emphasizing the need for careful legal approaches to balance the promotion of accurate information with the protection of free speech. He cautioned against enacting laws that could unintentionally reintroduce criminal libel under a new guise.

“There is a delicate balance between promoting accurate information and safeguarding free speech. We must be cautious not to pass laws that may suppress dissent or bring us back to the era of criminal libel.”

The event, organized by the Ghana School of Law, aimed to raise awareness of the legal implications of misinformation and empower citizens and stakeholders to safeguard democracy in the digital age.

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Story by: Wilhemina Naa Momo Nii-Moi | univers.ug.edu.gh
Editor: Wahab Abdul Razak