The article by Judith Ama AFENYI-DONKOR discusses Ghana’s upcoming debate on the Misinformation and Disinformation Bill, led by Minister Sam George. The bill aims to combat lies and online propaganda that threaten democracy, particularly in the digital age, where misinformation spreads rapidly through social media.
While the bill seeks to address issues highlighted during events like COVID-19 and Ghana’s elections, there are concerns about its potential misuse for political suppression. Existing laws regarding misinformation are outdated, as they do not adequately address the swift evolution of misinformation tactics, particularly amplified by artificial intelligence.
Critics argue that the bill may overlap with existing legal protections and could grant excessive authority to define “truth,” potentially risking freedom of expression and harming democracy. The article concludes with the dilemma of balancing the need to protect the public from harmful misinformation while safeguarding individual freedoms essential for democratic discourse.
If passed, the bill should clearly delineate harmful content without infringing on legitimate expression, establishing an independent oversight council to ensure fair enforcement, and paired with public education on digital literacy. The overarching challenge remains: finding a way to defend truth without sacrificing freedom.
