Freeing the airwaves was expected to allow diverse opinions to mingle, support and contradict one another with a view to arriving at well thought decisions to benefit society.
What we have been witnessing these days’ puts into question the rationale behind the freeing of the airwaves. Innuendo, bad language and frivolous attack seem for some as the ultimate in what are supposed to be political discussions.
If these are educating us then we are having a rather peculiar form of education. One that makes us suspicious of everyone else, that introduces information without the slightest care as to veracity or otherwise, so that before anyone can see what is happening; a long yarn is woven that becomes rather difficult to unweave.
Gradually more and more commentators are mastering this are repeating lies to the extent that even otherwise critical people find themselves unwittingly spreading these stories.
So far, we have been able to avoid disaster but it is no comfort. The unfounded accusations are neither harmless nor neutral. They may very well trigger actions which could be costly and tragic.
Because of our history, one will not advocate for any draconian measures, to combat such tendencies as these also have their own inherent dangers.
What is required is better judgment and better regulation of content by the professionals who have the privilege of producing and hosting programs.
We need to recognize that debates can still be interesting, useful and engaging without descending into gutters. What is required is better judgment and better regulation of content by the professionals who have the privilege f producing and hosting programmes.
We need to recognize that debates can still be interesting, useful and engaging without descending into gutters.
By the way what are the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the National Media Commission (NMC) doing?
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