Call for inclusive drafting of the Misinformation Bill
The General Secretary of the New Media Association of Ghana has formally urged the government to broaden the drafting process for the proposed Misinformation and Disinformation Bill. In a move designed to ensure that the policy reflects the realities of online reporting, bloggers, content creators, and digital journalists are now being invited to participate in consultations alongside lawmakers, regulators, and legal experts.
Why inclusion matters for digital creators
Proponents of the inclusive approach argue that content creators operate at the frontline of information dissemination. Their daily work involves navigating fast-moving online conversations, verifying sources, and balancing freedom of expression with public safety. By bringing creators into the drafting room, policymakers can better anticipate unintended consequences, such as chilling effects on everyday online speech or the over-criminalization of routine online behavior.
Potential benefits
- Clarified definitions: clearer distinctions between misinformation, disinformation, and harmless satire.
- Practical safeguards: criteria for when enforcement should occur and which entities are subject to penalties.
- Proportional remedies: channels for corrections, retractions, and transparent processes for contesting decisions.
Concerns from the digital journalism community
The call for inclusion is also framed by concerns that the bill could be used to curb legitimate journalistic activity or to penalize content that is critical of public officials. Critics warn that ambiguity in legal language could leave room for subjective interpretation, potentially stifling investigative reporting and diverse voices on the internet. The New Media Association’s advocacy aims to strike a balance that protects the public from harmful misinformation while safeguarding press freedom and user-generated content.
What the NMA hopes to achieve
According to the association’s leadership, the desired outcome is a bill that is informed by frontline experience in digital media. This includes practical scenarios such as corrections of false claims, the labeling of disputed content, and workable timelines for action when misinformation is detected. The NMA emphasizes collaboration between technologists, legal experts, and content creators to craft language that is precise, enforceable, yet fair.
<h2Stakeholder engagement and next steps
Government officials have signaled openness to stakeholder engagement, indicating that public input will form part of the consultation process. The New Media Association plans to organize forums, roundtable discussions, and written submissions to capture a wide range of perspectives from bloggers, online journalists, and other digital-first professionals. The hope is that such engagement will yield a more robust framework that can adapt to the rapidly evolving online information landscape.
Public interest and the path forward
As Ghana negotiates the complexities of misinformation in the digital age, inclusive policymaking could become a model for other countries facing similar challenges. By integrating insights from content creators who operate at the intersection of technology, media, and everyday life, the government may produce a bill that not only curbs harmful misinformation but also preserves essential democratic values like free speech and press freedom.
