Founder and Executive Chairman of the Africa Prosperity Network (APN), Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, has warned that the fast pace of technological change in Ghana’s media landscape is weakening professional standards and creating new difficulties for regulation and free expression.
He observed that although digital platforms and blogging have broadened access to information, they have also disrupted long-standing journalistic norms that once guided ethical reporting and accountability.
Mr Otchere-Darko, who is also a media owner, noted that technology has advanced far more quickly than existing regulatory systems, making it increasingly challenging to manage media content without encroaching on fundamental rights such as freedom of speech.
He cautioned that any attempt to regulate the media space must be carefully thought through, stressing that poorly framed rules could do more harm than good, even while acknowledging that freedom of expression should not be abused.
The APN founder further highlighted the reputational risks posed by unverified content on social media, explaining that false information often spreads widely and rapidly, while corrections struggle to gain similar attention.
He added that reacting publicly to such misinformation can sometimes amplify it, making restraint a difficult but necessary judgement call.
Speaking on Channel One TV on Sunday, February 1, Mr Otchere-Darko remarked that “technology is always ahead of regulation”, adding that while formal regulation lags behind, some level of self-regulation exists, particularly among audiences who choose what content to consume and share.
He also urged media owners to adapt to emerging technologies and evolving media practices, warning that failure to do so could threaten their survival in an increasingly competitive and digital-driven media environment.
About the Author
