National misinformation and disinformation bill to be laid before Parliament – Sam George

Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has announced that the long-awaited National Misinformation and Disinformation Bill is ready for parliamentary consideration and will be laid before the House in its next session.

Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday, July 3, the Minister said the legislation is a strategic response to the growing threat of coordinated falsehoods and digital manipulation that undermine public trust, national security, and Ghana’s democratic values.

“To protect the integrity of Ghana's digital information space, the Ministry is making steady progress toward bringing the National Misinformation and Disinformation Bill before Parliament,” Mr. George said.

He explained that the draft law outlines a robust legal framework to enable regulatory bodies to respond decisively to the intentional spread of fake news and harmful online content. He was quick to clarify, however, that the bill has been carefully crafted to strike a balance between enforcement and civil liberties.

“This legislation is designed to strengthen legal safeguards against the intentional spread of false or harmful digital content. It will provide enforcement clarity while upholding freedom of expression,” he stated.

According to him, the bill represents the government’s broader effort to build a digitally literate and civically responsible society. He emphasized that while free speech will remain protected, it must be exercised within the bounds of truth and accountability.

“We will not clamp down on freedom of expression, which will be respected. However, when your right to free expression ends, your duty not to misinform begins,” Mr. George said.

The proposed bill is expected to empower statutory institutions to monitor, investigate, and respond to the spread of misinformation without trampling on the rights of citizens. It will also form part of a wider strategy to improve public awareness, fact-checking initiatives, and responsible digital citizenship.

As Parliament prepares to review the bill, the Ministry says it remains committed to working with stakeholders—media, civil society, and tech platforms—to ensure that the legislation reflects both democratic values and the realities of the digital age.