The Deputy Minister for Communication and Member of Parliament for Awutu-Senya West, Mr. George Kojo Nenyi Andah, has indicated that media practitioners should use their platforms to encourage healthy dialogues.
He stated that healthy dialogues with the virtue of tolerance should be encouraged in the media, to build a monument of peace in the various spheres.
In making a statement on the floor of Parliament on the celebration of the twelfth World Radio Day, Mr. Andah pointed out that the radio platform is saturated by insults and defamatory speeches, and that it has caused many people to loose trust in the operations of radio.
Citing the Rwandan Genocide, fueled by the Hutus and Tutsis, Mr. Andah added that unguarded statements on radio can lead to disaster and loss of innocent lives.
He reiterated that there have been countries that have been set ablaze through activities of radio networks and journalists.
“Inasmuch as we are all responsible for our public utterances, in the name of freedom of speech, we have a lot to lose if this wonderful mode of communication is not controlled to avert what has now become an albatross on our necks as a nation”, he explained.
The Awutu-Senya West MP stated that Ghanaians are fortunate to have their democratic indulgence offer them freedom of speech, freedom of expression and other related rights, and that the rights place enormous responsibilities in safeguarding and protecting them.
Minority’s response
Member of Parliament for Kumbungu, Mr. Ras Mubarak, in contributing to the statement, stated that radio plays a significant role in disseminating information.
Mr. Mubarak added that the significance of radio as a platform has been misused by some political actors by engaging in insults during discussions.
Speaking at the Plenary, Mr. Mubarak condemned insulting comments and hate speeches by some political actors and encouraged media practitioners to avoid individuals who engage in insulting comments.
He again indicated that the democracy and peace of the country can be jeopardised if much attention is not given to certain utterances, capable of sparking conflict.
Source: GhanaJustice/S.Ayisi
