A closer look into NPP’s 2024 policies for Media and Journalism

As a budding journalist who has observed Ghana's media ecosystem evolve over the years, I approach the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) 2024 manifesto with a healthy dose of skepticism.

There are concerns regarding the extent of the party's commitment to press freedom and media growth given that media problems receive only one page out of 260-page document. Here, the focus is not on the number of pages but the clarity and feasibility of the policies. Although the manifesto touches on a number of important topics, criticism is warranted due to its briefness and lack of detail in its recommendations. Let's take a close look at these promises:

The NPP promises to “pass and fully implement the Broadcasting Bill, if not done before the final session of Parliament this year, to better safeguard media freedoms and pluralism”

The commitment to "pass and fully implement the Broadcasting Bill" is not a new promise. Considering that the law has been in limbo since it was introduced in 2014, one wonders what fresh strategy the NPP offers to get it passed at last. Without a clear timeline or implementation strategy, this promise seems more aspirational than actionable.

Furthermore, the party promises to “further resource the Media Capacity Enhancement Programme (MCEP) to continue enhancing the knowledge and skills of journalists”.

There are important elements missing from the pledge to "further resource the Media Capacity Enhancement Programme". Which particular improvements are in the works? What criteria will be used to determine success? It is challenging to evaluate the possible impact of this project in the absence of this information.

The Coordinated Mechanism for the Safety of Journalists (CMSJ) must be maintained, but it is unclear from the manifesto how it will change to reflect the threats posed to journalists. In recent years, there have been quite a number of attacks on Journalists in their line of duty although the CMSJ is still in force. Therefore, it is expected that the NPP will give clear promises to ensure a safer environment for journalists to go about their duties without fear of attacks.

The NPP manifesto also promises to “strengthen public media, including GBC, GNA, community radio, and other public media institutions, to promote diverse perspectives and voices”.

The promise to "strengthen public media" is open to many interpretations. Does this imply more financing, assurances of editorial autonomy, or technological advancements for the state Broadcasters? There are a lot of possible interpretations that can arise from this lack of specificity, and not all of them are good for media freedom.

Paragraph five of the policies on media and journalism promises to “modernise and retool the Information Services Department to enhance its effectiveness”.

The proposed modernization of the Information Services Department (ISD) sounds progressive, but without details, it's hard to determine if this will lead to genuine improvement or merely cosmetic changes.

Furthermore, the NPP's approach to the Right to Information (RTI) Act raises eyebrows. The focus on enhancing access for those who "cannot afford to access information" seems to misunderstand the fundamental purpose of the RTI Act, which is to ensure transparency and accountability for all citizens, regardless of their financial status. The Act does not create a two-tiered system of information access based on financial means but to make information accessible to everyone regardless of their financial status.

Lastly, the proposed harmonization of public relations across government agencies, while potentially improving consistency in government communication, could also be seen as a move towards more centralized control of information flow.

In conclusion, while the NPP's manifesto acknowledges some key areas of media development and press freedom, the lack of detailed, actionable plans leaves much room for skepticism. Critical issues such as media ownership concentration, digital rights, actionable plans for ensuring safety of Journalists and the sustainability of independent journalism are notably absent.

As we approach the December 7th elections, it's crucial to question whether these broad, non-specific promises can translate into meaningful improvements for Ghana's media industry. The media fraternity and the Ghanaian public should demand more concrete, detailed plans from all political parties to ensure the continued growth and independence of our fourth estate.