Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has assured journalists that no law will be enacted to stifle media freedom under his leadership of the legislature.
Addressing the 3rd Annual Dinner Night of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in Accra on Monday, the Speaker said he would not preside over the passage of legislation aimed at undermining the work of journalists. His speech was read on his behalf by the Member of Parliament for La Dade-Kotopon and Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah.
Bagbin acknowledged growing concerns within the media fraternity that laws intended to regulate digital and electronic communications were increasingly being applied in ways that harass, intimidate or silence journalists. He said such fears were legitimate and deserved serious attention from lawmakers.
The Speaker, who has served in Parliament since the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1993, said existing laws that pose threats to press freedom would be reviewed to ensure they align with constitutional protections.
His assurance comes amid mounting reports of journalists facing arrests, interrogations and legal actions linked to online publications and social media commentary arising from their professional duties. Several media practitioners at the event shared personal accounts of such experiences.
The GJA reiterated that while ethical and responsible journalism is non-negotiable, the application of legislation must not undermine constitutional guarantees of press freedom.
Bagbin stressed the need to strike a careful balance between safeguarding national security and protecting freedom of expression, describing a free and independent media as a cornerstone of Ghana’s democratic governance. The dinner ended with renewed calls for sustained engagement between the media and lawmakers to ensure laws strengthen, rather than weaken, democracy.