Evil lasts an hour, but truth lasts until the end of time.
– Arabic Proverb
Africa
Ghana
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| IREX Score: 2.27 | [IREX Methodology] |
| {Higher is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 4.00} |
IREX Description:
In the past year, two major events shaped Ghana's media climate. First, several laws were passed to govern the converging technologies of telecommunication, broadcasting, and computing. Second, a flurry of political propaganda accompanied the December 2008 presidential and parliamentary elections, with the parties and candidates desperate for public platforms and courting media exposure. However, the panelists underlined serious concerns about professional standards and ethics.
On the whole, the MSI scores place Ghana in the near-sustainability range. Panelists were least impressed with the quality of professional standards. On the other hand, the panelists were impressed by the growing contributions of supporting institutions. The overall score suggests a positive, albeit not necessarily glowing, outlook for the country's media system.
| Freedom House Score: 26 (Free) | [Freedom House Methodology] |
| {Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 100} |
| RSF Score: 8.00 | [RSF Methodology] |
| {Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to ~120} |
Reporters Without Borders Description:
Ghana is a model democracy in Africa, with the continent’s greatest media freedom in 2009. Although the situation for the media is satisfactory, several journalists were physically attacked by political militants during the year.
Ghana’s media are free to criticise the authorities without fear of reprisals. Only two publications were sued in 2009 and press offences were decriminalised in 2001. There are many radio stations and the print media is diverse and good quality, with over 100 newspapers and magazines, more than a dozen of them independent. Major international TV networks such as the BBC and CNN are accessible, as well as radio news stations RFI and Voice of America. Internet access is unrestricted.
A draft law approved by the government in 2009 would guarantee access to all public information. The measure, backed by civil society and the public through the Ghana Coalition on the Right to Information, would increase the transparency of government activity and public bodies.
A few cases were recorded of physical attacks on journalists and damage to their equipment by police or by political activists during political demonstrations.
| Committee to Protect Journalists Description: | [What is the Committee to Protect Journalists?] |
Visit CPJ’s Site for Recent Developments in this Country
| IFEX News: | [What is IFEX?] |
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