Day: May 4, 2024

Ghana has improved on its media ranking, the World Press Freedom Index 2024 published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has revealed.

The report indicated that Ghana made a significant improvement by moving from the 62nd position in the 2023 ranking to the 50th position in the 2024 ranking, which covered 180 countries.

According to the report, regarded as one of Africa’s most democratic countries, Ghana had a vibrant and pluralistic media environment.

It noted that, however, the creation of media outlets by politicians had given rise to politicised and biased media content.

‘Thanks to the 1992 Constitution authorising new media outlets to be created without a licence, Ghana has at least 100 media outlets, including radio stations, TV channels and?news?sites. Many privately owned media, such as?the?Joy News?channel, the?Myjoyonline?website?and?radio?Peace FM, are very popular and reflect a high degree of pluralism and diversity,’ it stated.

‘They have the independence necessary to operate without politic
al restrictions. The state-owned?Ghana Broadcasting Corporation,?and its TV and radio stations,?GBC TV and GBC Radio,?have nationwide coverage.’

It reiterated that there were also numerous community radio stations throughout the country; however, measures taken by the authorities to promote media pluralism had favoured, in recent years, the emergence of partisan media outlets launched by politicians.

The report said journalists’ safety had seriously deteriorated in Ghana in recent years; stating that several attacks on press freedom had been registered, including the intrusion of ruling party supporters into a TV studio and an attack on a journalist during a live report in October 2023.

It said politicians?had also made?death threats against investigative journalists.

The report said most cases of police violence against journalists were not pursued.?

It said the same went for murderers of journalists and that five years after the brutal death of investigative reporter Ahmed Hussein-Suale, the investigat
ion had come to a halt.

It said worse still, the Attorney General and Justice Minister told Parliament in early 2024 that criminal prosecutions had not been initiated due to lack of evidence.

On the global front this year, the RSF highlights a ‘worrying decline in support and respect for media autonomy and an increase in pressure from the state or other political actors’.

This is based on the fact that, of the five indicators used to compile the ranking, it is the political indicator that has fallen most, with a global average decline of 7.6 points.

Out of the 180 countries and territories analysed, some 138 places had a majority of their respondents saying that political actors in their countries were involved in disinformation or propaganda campaigns. This involvement is described as ‘systematic’ in 31 countries.

The?United States?ranked 55th in 2024, having dropped 10 positions.

RSF notes that the country (United States) is experiencing growing distrust in the media, partly driven by antagonism from
political officials, while there have also been cases of local law enforcement raiding newsrooms.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ghana has improved on its media ranking, the World Press Freedom Index 2024 published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has revealed.

The report indicated that Ghana made a significant improvement by moving from the 62nd position in the 2023 ranking to the 50th position in the 2024 ranking, which covered 180 countries.

According to the report, regarded as one of Africa’s most democratic countries, Ghana had a vibrant and pluralistic media environment.

It noted that, however, the creation of media outlets by politicians had given rise to politicised and biased media content.

‘Thanks to the 1992 Constitution authorising new media outlets to be created without a licence, Ghana has at least 100 media outlets, including radio stations, TV channels and?news?sites. Many privately owned media, such as?the?Joy News?channel, the?Myjoyonline?website?and?radio?Peace FM, are very popular and reflect a high degree of pluralism and diversity,’ it stated.

‘They have the independence necessary to operate without politic
al restrictions. The state-owned?Ghana Broadcasting Corporation,?and its TV and radio stations,?GBC TV and GBC Radio,?have nationwide coverage.’

It reiterated that there were also numerous community radio stations throughout the country; however, measures taken by the authorities to promote media pluralism had favoured, in recent years, the emergence of partisan media outlets launched by politicians.

The report said journalists’ safety had seriously deteriorated in Ghana in recent years; stating that several attacks on press freedom had been registered, including the intrusion of ruling party supporters into a TV studio and an attack on a journalist during a live report in October 2023.

It said politicians?had also made?death threats against investigative journalists.

The report said most cases of police violence against journalists were not pursued.?

It said the same went for murderers of journalists and that five years after the brutal death of investigative reporter Ahmed Hussein-Suale, the investigat
ion had come to a halt.

It said worse still, the Attorney General and Justice Minister told Parliament in early 2024 that criminal prosecutions had not been initiated due to lack of evidence.

On the global front this year, the RSF highlights a ‘worrying decline in support and respect for media autonomy and an increase in pressure from the state or other political actors’.

This is based on the fact that, of the five indicators used to compile the ranking, it is the political indicator that has fallen most, with a global average decline of 7.6 points.

Out of the 180 countries and territories analysed, some 138 places had a majority of their respondents saying that political actors in their countries were involved in disinformation or propaganda campaigns. This involvement is described as ‘systematic’ in 31 countries.

The?United States?ranked 55th in 2024, having dropped 10 positions.

RSF notes that the country (United States) is experiencing growing distrust in the media, partly driven by antagonism from
political officials, while there have also been cases of local law enforcement raiding newsrooms.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ghana has improved on its media ranking, the World Press Freedom Index 2024 published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has revealed.

The report indicated that Ghana made a significant improvement by moving from the 62nd position in the 2023 ranking to the 50th position in the 2024 ranking, which covered 180 countries.

According to the report, regarded as one of Africa’s most democratic countries, Ghana had a vibrant and pluralistic media environment.

It noted that, however, the creation of media outlets by politicians had given rise to politicised and biased media content.

‘Thanks to the 1992 Constitution authorising new media outlets to be created without a licence, Ghana has at least 100 media outlets, including radio stations, TV channels and?news?sites. Many privately owned media, such as?the?Joy News?channel, the?Myjoyonline?website?and?radio?Peace FM, are very popular and reflect a high degree of pluralism and diversity,’ it stated.

‘They have the independence necessary to operate without politic
al restrictions. The state-owned?Ghana Broadcasting Corporation,?and its TV and radio stations,?GBC TV and GBC Radio,?have nationwide coverage.’

It reiterated that there were also numerous community radio stations throughout the country; however, measures taken by the authorities to promote media pluralism had favoured, in recent years, the emergence of partisan media outlets launched by politicians.

The report said journalists’ safety had seriously deteriorated in Ghana in recent years; stating that several attacks on press freedom had been registered, including the intrusion of ruling party supporters into a TV studio and an attack on a journalist during a live report in October 2023.

It said politicians?had also made?death threats against investigative journalists.

The report said most cases of police violence against journalists were not pursued.?

It said the same went for murderers of journalists and that five years after the brutal death of investigative reporter Ahmed Hussein-Suale, the investigat
ion had come to a halt.

It said worse still, the Attorney General and Justice Minister told Parliament in early 2024 that criminal prosecutions had not been initiated due to lack of evidence.

On the global front this year, the RSF highlights a ‘worrying decline in support and respect for media autonomy and an increase in pressure from the state or other political actors’.

This is based on the fact that, of the five indicators used to compile the ranking, it is the political indicator that has fallen most, with a global average decline of 7.6 points.

Out of the 180 countries and territories analysed, some 138 places had a majority of their respondents saying that political actors in their countries were involved in disinformation or propaganda campaigns. This involvement is described as ‘systematic’ in 31 countries.

The?United States?ranked 55th in 2024, having dropped 10 positions.

RSF notes that the country (United States) is experiencing growing distrust in the media, partly driven by antagonism from
political officials, while there have also been cases of local law enforcement raiding newsrooms.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ghana has improved on its media ranking, the World Press Freedom Index 2024 published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has revealed.

The report indicated that Ghana made a significant improvement by moving from the 62nd position in the 2023 ranking to the 50th position in the 2024 ranking, which covered 180 countries.

According to the report, regarded as one of Africa’s most democratic countries, Ghana had a vibrant and pluralistic media environment.

It noted that, however, the creation of media outlets by politicians had given rise to politicised and biased media content.

‘Thanks to the 1992 Constitution authorising new media outlets to be created without a licence, Ghana has at least 100 media outlets, including radio stations, TV channels and?news?sites. Many privately owned media, such as?the?Joy News?channel, the?Myjoyonline?website?and?radio?Peace FM, are very popular and reflect a high degree of pluralism and diversity,’ it stated.

‘They have the independence necessary to operate without politic
al restrictions. The state-owned?Ghana Broadcasting Corporation,?and its TV and radio stations,?GBC TV and GBC Radio,?have nationwide coverage.’

It reiterated that there were also numerous community radio stations throughout the country; however, measures taken by the authorities to promote media pluralism had favoured, in recent years, the emergence of partisan media outlets launched by politicians.

The report said journalists’ safety had seriously deteriorated in Ghana in recent years; stating that several attacks on press freedom had been registered, including the intrusion of ruling party supporters into a TV studio and an attack on a journalist during a live report in October 2023.

It said politicians?had also made?death threats against investigative journalists.

The report said most cases of police violence against journalists were not pursued.?

It said the same went for murderers of journalists and that five years after the brutal death of investigative reporter Ahmed Hussein-Suale, the investigat
ion had come to a halt.

It said worse still, the Attorney General and Justice Minister told Parliament in early 2024 that criminal prosecutions had not been initiated due to lack of evidence.

On the global front this year, the RSF highlights a ‘worrying decline in support and respect for media autonomy and an increase in pressure from the state or other political actors’.

This is based on the fact that, of the five indicators used to compile the ranking, it is the political indicator that has fallen most, with a global average decline of 7.6 points.

Out of the 180 countries and territories analysed, some 138 places had a majority of their respondents saying that political actors in their countries were involved in disinformation or propaganda campaigns. This involvement is described as ‘systematic’ in 31 countries.

The?United States?ranked 55th in 2024, having dropped 10 positions.

RSF notes that the country (United States) is experiencing growing distrust in the media, partly driven by antagonism from
political officials, while there have also been cases of local law enforcement raiding newsrooms.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ghana has improved on its media ranking, the World Press Freedom Index 2024 published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has revealed.

The report indicated that Ghana made a significant improvement by moving from the 62nd position in the 2023 ranking to the 50th position in the 2024 ranking, which covered 180 countries.

According to the report, regarded as one of Africa’s most democratic countries, Ghana had a vibrant and pluralistic media environment.

It noted that, however, the creation of media outlets by politicians had given rise to politicised and biased media content.

‘Thanks to the 1992 Constitution authorising new media outlets to be created without a licence, Ghana has at least 100 media outlets, including radio stations, TV channels and?news?sites. Many privately owned media, such as?the?Joy News?channel, the?Myjoyonline?website?and?radio?Peace FM, are very popular and reflect a high degree of pluralism and diversity,’ it stated.

‘They have the independence necessary to operate without politic
al restrictions. The state-owned?Ghana Broadcasting Corporation,?and its TV and radio stations,?GBC TV and GBC Radio,?have nationwide coverage.’

It reiterated that there were also numerous community radio stations throughout the country; however, measures taken by the authorities to promote media pluralism had favoured, in recent years, the emergence of partisan media outlets launched by politicians.

The report said journalists’ safety had seriously deteriorated in Ghana in recent years; stating that several attacks on press freedom had been registered, including the intrusion of ruling party supporters into a TV studio and an attack on a journalist during a live report in October 2023.

It said politicians?had also made?death threats against investigative journalists.

The report said most cases of police violence against journalists were not pursued.?

It said the same went for murderers of journalists and that five years after the brutal death of investigative reporter Ahmed Hussein-Suale, the investigat
ion had come to a halt.

It said worse still, the Attorney General and Justice Minister told Parliament in early 2024 that criminal prosecutions had not been initiated due to lack of evidence.

On the global front this year, the RSF highlights a ‘worrying decline in support and respect for media autonomy and an increase in pressure from the state or other political actors’.

This is based on the fact that, of the five indicators used to compile the ranking, it is the political indicator that has fallen most, with a global average decline of 7.6 points.

Out of the 180 countries and territories analysed, some 138 places had a majority of their respondents saying that political actors in their countries were involved in disinformation or propaganda campaigns. This involvement is described as ‘systematic’ in 31 countries.

The?United States?ranked 55th in 2024, having dropped 10 positions.

RSF notes that the country (United States) is experiencing growing distrust in the media, partly driven by antagonism from
political officials, while there have also been cases of local law enforcement raiding newsrooms.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ghana has improved on its media ranking, the World Press Freedom Index 2024 published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has revealed.

The report indicated that Ghana made a significant improvement by moving from the 62nd position in the 2023 ranking to the 50th position in the 2024 ranking, which covered 180 countries.

According to the report, regarded as one of Africa’s most democratic countries, Ghana had a vibrant and pluralistic media environment.

It noted that, however, the creation of media outlets by politicians had given rise to politicised and biased media content.

‘Thanks to the 1992 Constitution authorising new media outlets to be created without a licence, Ghana has at least 100 media outlets, including radio stations, TV channels and?news?sites. Many privately owned media, such as?the?Joy News?channel, the?Myjoyonline?website?and?radio?Peace FM, are very popular and reflect a high degree of pluralism and diversity,’ it stated.

‘They have the independence necessary to operate without politic
al restrictions. The state-owned?Ghana Broadcasting Corporation,?and its TV and radio stations,?GBC TV and GBC Radio,?have nationwide coverage.’

It reiterated that there were also numerous community radio stations throughout the country; however, measures taken by the authorities to promote media pluralism had favoured, in recent years, the emergence of partisan media outlets launched by politicians.

The report said journalists’ safety had seriously deteriorated in Ghana in recent years; stating that several attacks on press freedom had been registered, including the intrusion of ruling party supporters into a TV studio and an attack on a journalist during a live report in October 2023.

It said politicians?had also made?death threats against investigative journalists.

The report said most cases of police violence against journalists were not pursued.?

It said the same went for murderers of journalists and that five years after the brutal death of investigative reporter Ahmed Hussein-Suale, the investigat
ion had come to a halt.

It said worse still, the Attorney General and Justice Minister told Parliament in early 2024 that criminal prosecutions had not been initiated due to lack of evidence.

On the global front this year, the RSF highlights a ‘worrying decline in support and respect for media autonomy and an increase in pressure from the state or other political actors’.

This is based on the fact that, of the five indicators used to compile the ranking, it is the political indicator that has fallen most, with a global average decline of 7.6 points.

Out of the 180 countries and territories analysed, some 138 places had a majority of their respondents saying that political actors in their countries were involved in disinformation or propaganda campaigns. This involvement is described as ‘systematic’ in 31 countries.

The?United States?ranked 55th in 2024, having dropped 10 positions.

RSF notes that the country (United States) is experiencing growing distrust in the media, partly driven by antagonism from
political officials, while there have also been cases of local law enforcement raiding newsrooms.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ghana has improved on its media ranking, the World Press Freedom Index 2024 published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has revealed.

The report indicated that Ghana made a significant improvement by moving from the 62nd position in the 2023 ranking to the 50th position in the 2024 ranking, which covered 180 countries.

According to the report, regarded as one of Africa’s most democratic countries, Ghana had a vibrant and pluralistic media environment.

It noted that, however, the creation of media outlets by politicians had given rise to politicised and biased media content.

‘Thanks to the 1992 Constitution authorising new media outlets to be created without a licence, Ghana has at least 100 media outlets, including radio stations, TV channels and?news?sites. Many privately owned media, such as?the?Joy News?channel, the?Myjoyonline?website?and?radio?Peace FM, are very popular and reflect a high degree of pluralism and diversity,’ it stated.

‘They have the independence necessary to operate without politic
al restrictions. The state-owned?Ghana Broadcasting Corporation,?and its TV and radio stations,?GBC TV and GBC Radio,?have nationwide coverage.’

It reiterated that there were also numerous community radio stations throughout the country; however, measures taken by the authorities to promote media pluralism had favoured, in recent years, the emergence of partisan media outlets launched by politicians.

The report said journalists’ safety had seriously deteriorated in Ghana in recent years; stating that several attacks on press freedom had been registered, including the intrusion of ruling party supporters into a TV studio and an attack on a journalist during a live report in October 2023.

It said politicians?had also made?death threats against investigative journalists.

The report said most cases of police violence against journalists were not pursued.?

It said the same went for murderers of journalists and that five years after the brutal death of investigative reporter Ahmed Hussein-Suale, the investigat
ion had come to a halt.

It said worse still, the Attorney General and Justice Minister told Parliament in early 2024 that criminal prosecutions had not been initiated due to lack of evidence.

On the global front this year, the RSF highlights a ‘worrying decline in support and respect for media autonomy and an increase in pressure from the state or other political actors’.

This is based on the fact that, of the five indicators used to compile the ranking, it is the political indicator that has fallen most, with a global average decline of 7.6 points.

Out of the 180 countries and territories analysed, some 138 places had a majority of their respondents saying that political actors in their countries were involved in disinformation or propaganda campaigns. This involvement is described as ‘systematic’ in 31 countries.

The?United States?ranked 55th in 2024, having dropped 10 positions.

RSF notes that the country (United States) is experiencing growing distrust in the media, partly driven by antagonism from
political officials, while there have also been cases of local law enforcement raiding newsrooms.

Source: Ghana News Agency

On the occasion of the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day, the Limbe branch of CAMASEJ (Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists) inaugurated its secretariat on May 3 at the new Limbe II council market in Karata.

The event was marked by a ceremonious cutting of the ribbon and the unveiling of the secretariat’s signboard by esteemed dignitaries, including Limbe II Mayor Chief Woka Daniel Ndive and Divisional Officer Meke Serge Albert.

Mayor Daniel Ndive, in his remarks, expressed gratitude for the invaluable role of the media in his journey to leadership, acknowledging their unwavering support and coverage of his philanthropic activities.

‘I remember some years back we were doing philanthropy…and they took upon themselves to publish every activity without any charge,’ Mayor Ndive reminisced.

He further recounted how the media recognized his contributions, paving the way for his emergence as a potential leader.

The said office it should be noted, was donated by the Limbe II mayor for one
year rent-free.

He also pledged the possibility of extending the free-rent arrangement to an extra year if the secretariat is managed effectively.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

On the occasion of the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day, the Limbe branch of CAMASEJ (Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists) inaugurated its secretariat on May 3 at the new Limbe II council market in Karata.

The event was marked by a ceremonious cutting of the ribbon and the unveiling of the secretariat’s signboard by esteemed dignitaries, including Limbe II Mayor Chief Woka Daniel Ndive and Divisional Officer Meke Serge Albert.

Mayor Daniel Ndive, in his remarks, expressed gratitude for the invaluable role of the media in his journey to leadership, acknowledging their unwavering support and coverage of his philanthropic activities.

‘I remember some years back we were doing philanthropy…and they took upon themselves to publish every activity without any charge,’ Mayor Ndive reminisced.

He further recounted how the media recognized his contributions, paving the way for his emergence as a potential leader.

The said office it should be noted, was donated by the Limbe II mayor for one
year rent-free.

He also pledged the possibility of extending the free-rent arrangement to an extra year if the secretariat is managed effectively.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

On the occasion of the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day, the Limbe branch of CAMASEJ (Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists) inaugurated its secretariat on May 3 at the new Limbe II council market in Karata.

The event was marked by a ceremonious cutting of the ribbon and the unveiling of the secretariat’s signboard by esteemed dignitaries, including Limbe II Mayor Chief Woka Daniel Ndive and Divisional Officer Meke Serge Albert.

Mayor Daniel Ndive, in his remarks, expressed gratitude for the invaluable role of the media in his journey to leadership, acknowledging their unwavering support and coverage of his philanthropic activities.

‘I remember some years back we were doing philanthropy…and they took upon themselves to publish every activity without any charge,’ Mayor Ndive reminisced.

He further recounted how the media recognized his contributions, paving the way for his emergence as a potential leader.

The said office it should be noted, was donated by the Limbe II mayor for one
year rent-free.

He also pledged the possibility of extending the free-rent arrangement to an extra year if the secretariat is managed effectively.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

On the occasion of the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day, the Limbe branch of CAMASEJ (Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists) inaugurated its secretariat on May 3 at the new Limbe II council market in Karata.

The event was marked by a ceremonious cutting of the ribbon and the unveiling of the secretariat’s signboard by esteemed dignitaries, including Limbe II Mayor Chief Woka Daniel Ndive and Divisional Officer Meke Serge Albert.

Mayor Daniel Ndive, in his remarks, expressed gratitude for the invaluable role of the media in his journey to leadership, acknowledging their unwavering support and coverage of his philanthropic activities.

‘I remember some years back we were doing philanthropy…and they took upon themselves to publish every activity without any charge,’ Mayor Ndive reminisced.

He further recounted how the media recognized his contributions, paving the way for his emergence as a potential leader.

The said office it should be noted, was donated by the Limbe II mayor for one
year rent-free.

He also pledged the possibility of extending the free-rent arrangement to an extra year if the secretariat is managed effectively.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Akaya Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the empowerment of young girls, has rewarded six young women who emerged winners of a writing competition project.

The project titled: ‘Empowered Inkwell,’ was on the theme: ‘Identity and Self-discovery,’ opened for young female writers within the ages of 13 to 29 years to encourage and inspire young girls and women to explore their unique identities through the power of writing.

Maureen Mawusi Afua Allandi, a 17-year-old student from the Wesley Girls High School who came first with a Poetry, while Seyram Akua Ametepey, a 13-year-old first year student of Aburi Girls Senior High School, the youngest among the six winners shortlisted out of over 800 entries, placed second with a non-fiction story titled: ‘Strength from the Fragments,’

Nana Egyirba Amissah-Arthur, a second-year student of the Mfantsiman Senior High School placed third with a fiction.

In the adult’s category, Ms Esther Atwei Adjeley, Ms Sandra Mbamah Sore and Ms Janice Opoku-Agyema
n were adjudged first, second and third, respectively.

The award winners were presented with laptops, cash prizes and gift hampers containing assorted items at a ceremony held at the Launching of another exciting project of the Foundation in Accra.

The award winners would also have their stories published in an anthology, yet to be launched and nurturing as well to bring out their full potentials in writing.

Dr Khadija Owusu, the Founder of Akaya Foundation, who was excited with the kind of entries received and the winners of the competition, said it was an indication that if nurtured most girls could reach their potentials in whatever career or chosen field.

She congratulated the award winners for the outstanding and compelling stories and urged them not to be complacent with the awards but strive to achieve higher goals and take advantage of other opportunities.

Ms Appiorkor Seyiram Ashong-Abbey, a broadcaster and writer who was one of the judges commended the award winners for the zeal exhibited in th
e various entries received.

She said, ‘you belong to a generation where you cannot confine yourself to one potential but be everything with determination and hard work.’

Ms Ashong-Abbey said given the ages of the award winners particularly the 13-year-old and the compelling stories they wrote, it was important that parents supported their wards to gather and publish short stories as a step to becoming great authors in the future.

Source: Ghana News Agency