Ghana has dropped 30 spots in the most recent press freedom index documented by Reporters Without Borders.
The report comes on the back of latest reports that the Ghanaian government has been cinching down on difference and cases of a increase of press freedom infringement.
On February 10, 2022, an Accra FM Presenter , Kwabena Bobbie Ansah was arrested on a charge of “spreading of false news and offensive conduct ” for posting a video via social media , asserting the First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, had supposedly gotten state land to put up headquarters for her foundation.
This report was misleading, the Police investigation said.
Godsbrain Smart of Onua TV was additionally arrested for a supposed instance of blackmail, albeit some have argued that it has to do with his wild criticisms of government.
The report issued to observe global Press Freedom Day scored Ghana 67.43, putting Ghana 60th on the list that screens 180 nations.
This positioning is the lowest the nation has ever experienced in the past 17 years since it was put on 66th spot in 2005.
In 2021, Ghana was put 30th out of 180 nations with a score of 78.67.
On the African continent, the nation was positioned tenth behind various African nations, including Burkina-Faso which positioned sixth on the continent
It additionally expressed that journalist in Ghana are poorly remunerated .
Journalists ‘ wellbeing has deteriorated sharply as of late. In 2020, correspondents covering the effectiveness of anti Covid-19 measures were brutally asssuted by security forces .
Additionally, political leaders are conveying death threat against investigative journalist . Practically all instances of police officers attacking journalists are not pursued , the report reiterated.
The report says “government has shown itself intolerant of criticism . Likewise, 33% of news sources are claimed by lawmakers or by individuals attached to the top political parties . The content they produce is to a great extent partisan.”It further stated that “press freedom is ensured by the Constitution of 1992. Media are allowed to work as they like, as per the guidelines of the National Media Commission. The 2019 information access law guarantees journalists to request information of public interest.”
Despite this arrangement , a clause in the law allows a fee to be charged if the information requested is in a language other than English – a provision used to deny journalists’ access to the information they seek.”