Do not spend public trust for headlines – Felix Kwakye Ofosu fires warning to media

Government spokesperson and Member of Parliament for Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has cautioned journalists and media organisations against sacrificing credibility for sensational headlines, warning that misinformation and disinformation now pose serious threats to Ghana’s democracy and national stability.

Speaking during an event held at the residence of the British High Commission to commemorate World Press Freedom Day, Mr Kwakye Ofosu stressed the importance of protecting public trust in journalism.

Addressing journalists, diplomats, media practitioners, and other stakeholders, he said credibility remains the media’s most valuable asset and should never be traded for short-term attention or viral headlines.

“Public trust is your greatest capital. Do not spend it for a headline,” he cautioned.

Mr Kwakye Ofosu described press freedom as a critical pillar of democratic governance and warned that any attempt to silence journalists weakens democratic institutions and accountability.

“A government that fears questions has already lost its confidence, and a society that silences journalists has already begun to lose its democracy,” he stated.

He further emphasized that journalism should not be seen as hostile to government, but rather as an important partner in ensuring transparency and accountability in public administration.

“Good journalism is actually an ally,” he said, adding that investigative reporting helps protect public resources and expose wrongdoing.

“When a reporter investigates a contract gone wrong, they are not attacking the state. They are protecting the taxpayer,” he explained.

The government spokesperson also reaffirmed the commitment of the Ghana government to uphold media freedom, media pluralism, and the safety of journalists across the country.

“On behalf of the Government of Ghana, I reaffirm our commitment to protect the safety of journalists, to uphold media pluralism and to ensure that no reporter is harassed, detained or threatened for doing lawful work,” he assured.

A major focus of his address was the growing spread of misinformation and the declining integrity of information in the digital age. According to him, false narratives and manipulated content now spread rapidly across social media platforms, creating serious consequences for governance, public safety, and national cohesion.

“We now live in an age where a single falsehood can travel around the world in seconds while the truth is still putting on its shoes,” he said.

Mr Kwakye Ofosu warned against the rise of coordinated disinformation campaigns, deepfake content, and clickbait publications designed to provoke political and ethnic tensions while generating online engagement and revenue.

“This is not just a media problem. It is a national security problem. It is a public health problem as it is a democratic problem,” he stressed.

Despite the dangers posed by misinformation, he argued that censorship should not be the solution. Instead, he called for quicker dissemination of accurate and verified information by both government institutions and media organisations.

“We must answer bad information with better information and faster,” he noted.

He disclosed that the government communications office had intensified efforts to proactively release timely and accurate information to counter false narratives and improve public communication.

Mr Kwakye Ofosu also reminded journalists that press freedom must be accompanied by professionalism and ethical responsibility.

“Free means that you are independent of political and commercial pressure,” he explained.

“Responsible means adhering to ethics, accuracy, fairness, right of reply and respect for privacy and human dignity.”

He further urged the Ghana Journalists Association and the National Media Commission to strengthen media self-regulation and enforce ethical standards within the profession.

According to him, publishing unverified allegations or amplifying hate speech for online engagement causes harm to society and weakens confidence in the media.

“Publishing unverified allegations, amplifying hate speech for engagement, that is not dramatic, that is harm,” he warned.

Mr Kwakye Ofosu also called on public institutions to improve transparency and responsiveness under Ghana’s Right to Information law, insisting that citizens deserve accurate, timely, and truthful communication from both government and the media.

“The Ghanaian public deserves Straight Talk,” he said.

He concluded by stressing that democracy requires constant protection and active participation from a free and responsible press.

“Democracy is not a gift that lasts forever. It is a practice that must be renewed every day, and journalism is one of the daily practices that keeps it alive.”