Promoting Ethical Media: UN in Ghana and National Media Commission Explore Strategic Cooperation

Led by NMC Chairperson, Professor Akua Opoku-Agyemang Britwum, it sought to discuss strategic cooperation in strengthening the country’s media landscape. The dialogue centered on the urgent need to protect information integrity in the face of rising misinformation and disinformation. This engagement reaffirms the United Nations’ commitment to partnering with national institutions. 

During the meeting, Mr. Choudhury highlighted the critical role of the media in advancing development and strengthening public trust. “We want to, of course, use the media to educate the public about development issues, but also to be transparent and accountable about what we are doing as a UN family. So that we see the media as an important place for transparency and accountability for different parties. We see it as a very important place to tackle the scourge of misinformation,” he said.

On her part, Professor Britwum shared the Commission’s aspirations on working with the UN. “[The Commission] hopes to achieve a greater reach. We hope to strengthen our capacity to deliver our mandate. But we also hope to achieve, together with the UN, how we can assist in spreading messages on development around our country… but finally also to ensure that the information that goes out there is information that helps to mobilize people to support development,” she said.

The United Nations and the NMC will work to explore various avenues for collective action, including promoting information integrity, media literacy, advocacy campaigns on misinformation and disinformation, and enhancing journalists’ capacity to uphold high standards of reporting.