The Director of Programmes and Policy Engagement at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Dr. Kojo Pumpuni Asante, has emphasized that the media’s success is closely tied to the well-being of citizens, as it serves as the cornerstone of active civic engagement in democracy.
He pointed out that when this connection is overlooked, people may unfairly target the media, driven by political motives or personal grievances against journalists’ comments or actions.
Dr. Asante also highlighted the critical role of the media in crisis and disaster reporting.
Speaking during JoyNews’ National Dialogue on Defending Media Freedom, he remarked, “One day, when you wake up and there is flooding in your area or some disaster is coming, and you have no means of getting information to save your life, then you will understand what the media means.”
He further noted that the media industry is largely populated by young people, with youth dominating newsrooms across the country.
Dr. Asante stressed that the daily challenges faced by these young journalists shape the broader perception of Ghana among the youth.
“If they are constantly being intimidated, beaten up, and so on, that is how they will feel about the country because they represent the majority of us. The way they feel about Ghana will reflect in how they communicate about the country, which is why I believe we should care more about the media.”
The Centre for Democratic Development-Ghana has partnered with the Multimedia Group Ghana Limited to host the JoyNews National Dialogue on Defending Media Freedom.