The Ghana School of Law Students’ Representative Council, in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), has identified political communication and media ownership as critical challenges in the global fight against misinformation and disinformation.
This revelation was made during a high-level roundtable discussion held at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) auditorium, University of Ghana.
The event, themed “Misinformation, Democracy, and Security: The Legal Response in a Digital Age and the Promotion of Information Integrity,” brought together legal and communication experts to deliberate on the escalating dangers posed by the spread of false information in today’s digital ecosystem.
Former Deputy Attorney General, Mr. Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, set the tone by outlining the legal provisions related to misinformation in Ghana’s legal framework.
He referenced several constitutional and statutory provisions including Articles 12, 21, 162, 163, and 165 of the 1992 Constitution, Act 775, Section 208 of the Criminal Offences Act (Act 29), the Right to Information Act (Act 989), the Cybersecurity Act (Act 1030), and others.
He cautioned that while combating misinformation is necessary, any legislative intervention must align with the Constitution’s protections for free speech.
“The remnants of the repealed criminal libel law still exist in Article 208, which places limitations on speech in the interest of national security,” he stated.
Ms. Anna Wasserfall, Country Director of KAS, focused on the increasing role of artificial intelligence in generating and amplifying disinformation.
She warned that recent studies show misinformation may pose more significant global risks than the COVID-19 pandemic. Citing 2024 as a “super election year,” during which over 60 countries held national elections, she stressed that misinformation played a significant role in misleading voters and distorting democratic processes.
Wasserfall urged social media users to be vigilant and outlined key strategies to combat misinformation: enhancing empirical knowledge, improving transnational cooperation and legal tools, and strengthening media literacy and education.
Prominent media practitioner and lawyer, Sampson Lardy Anyenini, emphasized the role of journalists and media houses in gatekeeping the integrity of public discourse.
He advocated for rigorous fact-checking and responsible journalism, warning against the spread of unverified content.
“The Right to Information Act must be utilized by both communicators and institutions in seeking and disseminating accurate information,” he urged.
He further stated that media professionals — including bloggers, reporters, and broadcasters — must not allow their platforms to become channels for falsehoods, emphasizing that truth and accuracy must be central to media practice.
Dr. Kwaku Agyeman-Budu, Dean of the GIMPA Law Faculty, addressed the role of political actors in spreading misinformation.
He controversially asserted that misinformation from politicians often reflects the values of the electorate.
“When dishonest leaders are elected, misinformation becomes the norm. The blame lies with the people who empower them,” he remarked, calling on law students to uphold truth in their future legal careers and to resist contributing to the disinformation cycle.
Kow Abaka Essuman, former legal consultant to President Akufo-Addo, described how bloggers contribute to the misinformation crisis by prioritizing online traffic over truth.
“Falsehoods attract more attention than scripture,” he noted, stressing the need for institutions like the National Media Commission to be equipped with technology capable of tracing and halting the spread of fake news.
He added that the fleeting nature of information on digital platforms makes it critical to act quickly, as undetected misinformation can rapidly go viral.
Guest speaker Hon. Fatimatu Abubakar, former Minister for Information, distinguished between misinformation and disinformation, explaining that while the former is often due to negligence, the latter is intentional and aimed at causing harm or manipulating public opinion.
She highlighted the role of influencers, bloggers, and political communicators in perpetuating disinformation for personal or political gain, particularly through AI-generated content.
She expressed concern over the growing trend of political actors owning media outlets, which she identified as a significant obstacle to ensuring media independence and information integrity.
“Attempts to curb political media ownership have unfortunately been abandoned,” she added.
She also called on the public, especially content creators, to be vigilant and responsible in the kind of information they post, share, or promote.
In concluding remarks, all panelists agreed that political communication, especially in Europe and Africa, has become a dominant source of misinformation and disinformation.
They warned that such practices compromise the integrity of democratic institutions and free speech, as political figures increasingly collaborate with media entities to gain power and deflect criticism through false narratives.
The forum concluded with a strong call for collective responsibility — from media professionals, legislators, civil society, and political leaders — to combat the growing threat of misinformation in the digital era.