Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, Founder and Executive Chairman of the Africa Prosperity Network (APN), has cautioned that the rapid pace of technological change within Ghana’s media landscape is undermining professionalism and creating new challenges for regulation and free expression. He observed that while the rise of digital platforms and the proliferation of bloggers have broadened access to information, they have also disrupted the traditional standards that once guided journalistic practice.
Reflecting on the industry’s evolution, Mr. Otchere-Darko—himself a media owner—stressed that technology has advanced far beyond existing regulatory frameworks, making it increasingly difficult to manage content effectively without encroaching on fundamental freedoms. Speaking on the Upside Down Show with Frema Adunyame on Sunday, February 1, he noted that regulation in the media space must be approached with caution.
“Technology is always ahead of regulation. I think we are getting there. There is some sort of self-regulation, not with those who put out the content, but the ones who receive it,” he said. He warned that poorly designed regulations could undermine freedom of speech, even though that freedom should not be abused.
Mr. Otchere-Darko cautioned that regulation in the media space must be approached carefully to avoid stifling free speech. “Freedom of expression does not mean one can say anything without consequence,” he noted. He further highlighted the reputational risks posed by unverified content on social media, stressing that false information often spreads more rapidly than corrections.
He explained that once damaging claims are published online, they can tarnish reputations, as search results tend to amplify the initial misinformation. Attempts to correct such narratives, he added, rarely gain equal traction and may even worsen the situation. “Sometimes, responding only fuels the spread, making silence a difficult choice. Each case must be assessed individually,” he advised. Mr. Otchere-Darko also urged media owners to embrace emerging technologies and evolving practices, warning that failure to adapt could threaten their survival in the industry.
Source: William Narh
