Gov’t lauds media, urges spotlight on economic rights

The government has commended the Ghanaian media for the indispensable role it plays in the socio-economic development of the country.
In a statement to mark this year’s World Press Freedom Day, celebrated yesterday, the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, expressed profound appreciation to the media for continuously raising awareness about various rights, but stressed the need for increased focus on economic rights.
This year’s anniversary, themed “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for all other human rights,” marks the 30th global celebration of Press Freedom.
“The media has been instrumental over the years, in highlighting various rights that require attention for full enjoyment. The work of the media also in highlighting instances of abuse of some rights by sections of society has led to redress in many instances. We urge the media to remain resolute on this path,” the Minister said in the statement.
He noted that the quest to have all citizens fully access their economic rights is yet to achieve full effect, especially as the world faces dim economic forecasts following recent global challenges.
It also reiterated government’s commitment to supporting media stakeholder groups in in the country, including the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), the Private Independent Newspapers Association (PRINPAG), the Communication Educators platform, the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), and the National Media Commission (GIBA).
PRINPAG call
Meanwhile, the President of the Private Newspapers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), Andrew Edwin Arthur, has called on the government’s media handlers to be proactive and to engage media owners, editors and senior journalists the more in an attempt to save the Ghanaian media from dying.
“It is the prayer of PRINPAG that the Government, through its handlers, will put in place mechanisms to ensure that all media outlets are supported to stand on their feet, whichever is feasible to do, to foster a close partnership and collaboration between the media and the government in the interest of the development of mother Ghana,” he said in a speech at the Press Centre to mark the Day. .
He further urged the Government’s media handlers not to discriminate in their dealings with the media, but to open up and to bring all media practitioners and their organisations on board to promote the national agenda.
The PRINPAG President also advised government to consider bringing all media houses onto a common platform, irrespective of perceived political persuasion. Such efforts, he noted, will serve as a way of making information readily accessible.
He noted that it will help avoid the situation where, due to lack of information, some media houses are left with no option than to engage in speculations and conjectures to survive. This way, he added, the government and its media handlers will be promoting press freedom and pluralism of the media.