The Ghana Report Summit: Don’t ride on free speech to peddle fake news – Gbevlo-Lartey
Even though the 1992 Constitution of Ghana guarantees freedom of expression, former National Security Coordinator Larry Gbevlo-Lartey has warned the public against hiding behind free speech to spread fake news.
Mr Gbevlo-Lartey, the African Union Chairperson’s Special Representative in Charge of Counter-Terrorism Cooperation, explained that the right to freedom of expression is not absolute.
“It is a derogable right and has a primary limitation to the extent that it should not in its exercise, encroach or infringe on the rights of others, threaten or endanger peaceful coexistence, national stability and therefore national security for that matter,” he stressed.
He was addressing thought leaders, policymakers, media professionals, and technology experts at the maiden edition of The Ghana Report Summit at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra.
The summit, held on Thursday, August 1, 2024, was on the theme “Dealing with Misinformation and Disinformation – Election 2024”.
With barely four months to the December 7 general elections, the former National Security Coordinator noted that the challenge “we face as a country is that the 2024 elections have already gathered such momentum that it promises to be a highly contested election.”
He believes The Ghana Report Summit is timely as the platform will help identify and deal with the menace of misinformation and disinformation.
At the end of the summit, the government and other key players in the industry vowed to help fight the circulation of false narratives.
The government, for instance, revealed plans to introduce five counter-measures, including a National Action Plan for Misinformation and Disinformation.
The comprehensive plan outlines strategic steps to address the spread of false information, defend the country’s democratic processes, and promote an informed and engaged citizenry.
In addition to the action plan, the government intends to enhance legal and regulatory frameworks, launch public awareness campaigns, embark on media literacy, and collaborate with technology companies to address the menace.
About The Ghana Report Summit
The Ghana Report Summit brought together about 300 participants and speakers to address the challenges associated with disseminating information in the Ghanaian media space, particularly social media, as the country prepares for the crucial 2024 elections.
The summit, organised by The Ghana Report, a subsidiary of I-ZAR Group, and the 2019 Best News Portal of the Year/Best Portal in Corporate Social Responsibilities at the 25th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards, featured prominent personalities such as President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, National Security Minister Albert Kan-Dapaah and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, as speakers.
Director of Elections and ICT of the NDC, Dr Edward Omane Boamah; Spokesperson to Former President John Mahama, Joyce Bawah Motgari; and Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Kathleen Addy, were panellists.
Others were the Regional Manager of Csquared West Africa, Estelle Akofio-Sowah; former president of GJA, Roland Affail Monney; and the founder of Global Media Alliance Ambassador Edward Boateng; IT manager, National Signals Bureau, John Tandoh; CEO of KomsKraft Consult, Gayheart Mensah and CEO of PopOut Digital Solutions, Maximus Ametorgoh.
Also in attendance were guests from various diplomatic missions, government officials, academia, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society groups, religious bodies, and media organizations.