By Elsie Appiah-Osei
Accra, Sept. 29, GNA – Mr Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, has cautioned against the misuse of freedom of expression to justify threats, incitement and the deliberate spread of false information.
He said the national conversation on regulating social media and addressing misinformation must strike a careful balance between protecting free expression and ensuring accountability.
Mr Bagbin made the remarks in a formal communication to Parliament on Tuesday during the emergency sitting of the House, amid renewed discussions on regulating social media platforms, particularly TikTok.
He said the discussion should be broad, inclusive and measured, and must neither suppress dissent nor shield public officials from legitimate criticism.
“Neither should legitimate concerns about freedom of expression become an excuse for threats, incitement, deliberate falsehoods or the reckless abuse of others,” he said.
Mr Bagbin commended President John Dramani Mahama for initiating the national conversation and urged stakeholders to approach the process with restraint and inclusiveness.
President Mahama recently called for a national stakeholder dialogue on the regulation of TikTok and other new media platforms, following concerns over misinformation, insults and other harmful content circulating online.
He tasked the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) with convening stakeholders to deliberate on the issue.
The President, speaking at a Town Hall Meeting with Ghanaians in New York, acknowledged the difficulty of regulating new media without undermining freedom of expression.
He said Ghanaians needed to collectively determine how to address the growing influence of platforms such as TikTok and assess whether existing enforcement mechanisms were adequate.
Mr Bagbin said any measures adopted must be guided by the Constitution and respect the fundamental rights of citizens, including the right to privacy and access to information.
He also called on media organisations, civil society groups, technology companies and users of social media platforms to contribute constructively to the dialogue.
The Speaker urged citizens to verify information before sharing it, warning that the rapid spread of unverified content could undermine public trust and create unnecessary tension.
He said Parliament would continue to support efforts aimed at promoting responsible digital citizenship while ensuring that any future regulation was transparent, proportionate and subject to public scrutiny.
GNA
Edited by Beatrice Asamani Savage
Reporter: Elsie Appiah-Osei