POLLUTION OF THE AIRWAVES

Kwesi Gyan Apenteng, Chair of the Ghana Media Commission

By Yaw Bediako

Freeing the airwaves was expected to allow diverse opinions to mingle, support and contradict one another with a view to arriving at well thought decisions to benefit society.

What we have been witnessing these days puts into question the rationale behind the freeing of the airwaves. Innuendo, factious accusations, bad language and frivolous attack seem for some as the ultimate in what is supposed to be political discussions.

If these are educating us then we are having a rather peculiar form of education. One that makes us suspicious of everyone else, that introduces information without the slightest care as to the veracity or otherwise, so that before anyone can see what is happening; a long yarn is woven that becomes rather difficult to unweave.

Gradually more and more commentators are mastering this and are repeating lies to the extent that even otherwise critical people find themselves unwittingly spreading these stories.

So far, we have been able to avoid disaster, but it is no comfort. The unfounded accusations are neither harmless nor neutral. They may very well trigger actions which could be costly and tragic.

Because of our history, one will not advocate for any draconian measures to combat such tendencies as these also have their own inherent dangers.

What is required is better judgment and better regulation of content by the professionals who have the privilege of producing and hosting programes.

We need to recognize that debates can still be interesting, useful and engaging without descending into gutters.

 By the way, what are the Ghana Journalists’ Association (GJA) and the National Media Commission (NMC) doing?

Editorial

SHIFTING LEFT

There have been very interesting developments on the global political scene over the last few years.

The decision of the United States of America to end its futile attempts to violently overthrow the Cuban revolution and the election of Jeremy Corbyn as leader of Labour Party in the United Kingdom were significant.

Last week something equally dramatic happened in the United States of America. Bernie Sanders, a well acclaimed leftist overtook the establishment candidate, Hillary Clinton in the race for the Presidential candidate of the Democratic Party.

Who could have believed the debate in the Democratic Party would be centered on which of the Presidential hopefuls are the most progressive.

Even Hilary Clinton claimed that she is more progressive than Bernie Sanders.

Perhaps the world has begun shifting Left and it is significant.