Author: William Nana Beeko || Chief Editor
Ghana’s ability to protect its peace and democratic gains will increasingly depend on how responsibly information is gathered, verified and disseminated, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Shamima Muslim has cautioned.
She said the media could no longer view its role solely through the traditional lens of reporting events after they happen, arguing that journalists must also contribute to identifying tensions early and preventing misinformation from developing into broader social or political instability.
According to Ms Muslim, Ghana’s rapidly changing information environment has created new responsibilities for media organisations, particularly at a time when unverified claims, inflammatory narratives and deliberately misleading content can spread within minutes.
She therefore challenged journalists and publishers to position their platforms as credible sources of information and constructive instruments for protecting national cohesion.
Ms Muslim made the call on Saturday during a capacity-building workshop organised by the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) in partnership with the National Security Secretariat at the Platinum Bay Hotel in Ga East, Greater Accra.
The training workshop is on the theme: “Media As A Strategic Partner In National Security“.
Shamima maintained that the transformation of the media industry should not be measured simply by the decline of traditional newspapers or the rise of digital platforms, but by the ability of journalists to remain relevant in an environment where information can directly influence public behaviour and national stability.
Rather than seeing the changing media landscape as a threat, she encouraged practitioners to embrace their evolving role and develop stronger systems for detecting and responsibly reporting issues capable of generating tension.
“Print has not died. It must evolve from newspaper to an early warning partner,” she said.
Ms Muslim also advocated deeper engagement between media organisations, government and national security institutions, but stressed that such cooperation should never become a substitute for journalistic independence or constitutional protections.
She said the objective should be to create a system in which journalists can pursue legitimate investigations without fear, while security institutions can perform their duties without being unnecessarily compromised through reckless disclosure of sensitive information.
“We must build an information environment in which the media can investigate without intimidation, security institutions can operate without reckless exposure, and citizens can access credible information,” she stated.
The Deputy Presidential Spokesperson further urged media practitioners to appreciate the consequences that their reporting and commentary could have, particularly when the country is experiencing heightened political or social tensions.
She warned that inaccurate reports, inflammatory commentary and the intentional circulation of divisive narratives could deepen mistrust among citizens and create an environment in which conflicts become increasingly difficult to contain.
“No one wins in times of war,” she cautioned.
Beyond the immediate impact of news coverage, Ms Muslim urged journalists to consider their role in preserving Ghana’s historical record.
She said future generations would depend heavily on today’s media reports to understand the events, controversies and national decisions shaping the country, making accuracy and verification essential to the credibility of Ghana’s historical narrative.
She posed a broader question to media practitioners about whether the country’s current information ecosystem would eventually provide future historians with a reliable record of events.
“When Ghana’s history is written, will there be a printed, credible record that says this is the true account—verified, calmed when we needed to calm, protected when we needed to protect—reflection of our history?” she asked.
Ms Muslim commended PRINPAG and the National Security Secretariat for creating a platform for media practitioners and security officials to engage directly, describing such interactions as necessary for reducing mistrust and improving understanding between the two sectors.
She stressed, however, that any relationship between the media and security institutions must remain anchored in the public interest and respect for the media’s constitutional responsibility to hold power accountable.
She consequently called on journalists to combine their watchdog responsibilities with a firm commitment to accuracy, professional ethics, responsible communication and the protection of democratic freedoms.
“Our collective duty is clear: to communicate accurately, to act responsibly, to defend constitutional freedoms, and to place the peace and security of Ghana above every competing interest,” she said.
Connecting the discussion to President John Dramani Mahama’s call for a national reset, Ms Muslim argued that the concept should extend beyond economic recovery and political administration.
She said the reset should also inspire renewed thinking about Ghana’s journalism, national security architecture and public institutions, particularly in building stronger relationships based on trust, professionalism and a shared commitment to national stability.
She called for sustained collaboration among relevant stakeholders to strengthen public confidence, promote credible information and establish enduring channels of communication capable of protecting Ghana’s democratic achievements.
The workshop is part of broader efforts by PRINPAG and the National Security Secretariat to strengthen the professional capacity of media practitioners while encouraging constructive engagement between independent media organisations and national security institutions.
