FREE SPEECH IS NOT FREE LIES – REV. PROF. AMPONSAH

By CUG NEWS MEDIA

 


In a thought-provoking inaugural lecture delivered at the Catholic University of Ghana, respected communication scholar and Catholic priest, Rev. Prof. Peter Nkrumah Amponsah, delivered a strong caution on the misuse of free speech in Ghana’s digital age. He described the unrestrained spread of false information online as a direct threat to democratic stability, ethical journalism, and the moral foundation of society.

Speaking to a gathering of scholars, students, legal practitioners, and members of the clergy, Prof. Amponsah stressed that while freedom of speech remains a fundamental democratic right, it must not be misused as a license to misinform, defame, or divide. “Free speech is a pillar of democracy,” he said. “But when abused through the reckless spread of false information, especially online, it becomes a weapon of mass deception.”

He traced the consequences of disinformation to global incidents such as the U.S. Capitol insurrection and the manipulation of public discourse in parts of Africa, warning that Ghana is increasingly vulnerable. Citing how social media platforms and anonymous blogs often spread unverified content with damaging consequences, he observed that “the damage caused by fake news cannot be reversed by a mere apology or retraction.”

The lecture, themed “Free Speech and False Information: Legal and Ethical Boundaries in a Digital Democracy,” emphasized the urgent need for Ghana to modernize its legal frameworks to hold digital actors accountable. Prof. Amponsah called for reforms in Ghana’s Cyber security Act, the Criminal Offences Act, and a re-examination of the long-awaited Broadcasting Bill. However, he was quick to add that any legal reform must be measured and sensitive to the protection of civil liberties. “Rights come with responsibilities. The law must strike a balance between freedom and accountability,” he warned.

The academic, who is also a clergyman, called on journalists, bloggers, educators, and students to embrace a culture of truth-telling, ethical communication, and media literacy. He stressed that the media must return to its roots of public service, away from political manipulation and profit-driven misinformation. “Journalism is not gossip. Education is not propaganda. The newsroom and the classroom must be sanctuaries of truth,” he said passionately, drawing applause from the audience.

Rev. Prof. Amponsah also challenged institutions of higher learning and media regulators to lead the charge in developing ethical codes and fact-checking systems that can counter the wave of false narratives. He decried the normalization of harmful commentary, libelous speech, and emotionally charged misinformation, which he believes undermine national unity and institutional trust.

As Ghana prepares for another election cycle, he urged both the state and the citizenry to adopt a national posture of digital vigilance. He warned that unchecked speech — especially in the online space— could easily fuel polarization, incite violence, and erode the values upon which the country’s democracy is built. “Ghana cannot thrive in an atmosphere of noise, lies, and confusion,” he stated. “Let us speak truth to power, but let it be truth — not fiction disguised as freedom.”

The lecture, hailed as one of the timeliest in recent academic discourse, underscored the critical role of law, ethics, and conscience in shaping the future of Ghana’s democratic communication landscape. Prof. Amponsah’s voice, blending moral clarity with legal insight, has now added fresh momentum to the national conversation on media responsibility, truth, and freedom in the digital age.

 

By Adam Siaka,

Broadcast journalist

Wisdom 101.1 FM, CUG

 

 

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