NEWS

Sam George Pledges to Combat Disinformation as Minister

Sam George Pledges to Combat Disinformation as Minister After Becoming a Target

After falling victim to a social media smear campaign, Sam Nartey George, the Minister-designate for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, has pledged to combat misinformation.

The Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram responded strongly to a widely distributed doctored image of him that presented him in an inaccurate way.

When TV3 Ghana first uploaded a picture of Sam George using his phone in Parliament, the uproar broke out. But a modified version appeared that changed the phone’s screen to show offensive material, causing a flurry of misunderstandings among the general population. Sam George responded to the incident by accusing the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) of planning the attack in retaliation for his selection as a minister.

“It is clear that the NPP is displeased with my nomination and will go to any lengths to oppose it. After failing to mobilize their members to vote against me in Parliament, they have resorted to a smear campaign built on fabricated lies,” he posted on social media.

Since taking office, Sam George has promised to enact stronger laws to counteract disinformation and misinformation. He stressed the need to protect the internet from harmful propaganda and incorrect information..

“The days of misinformation and deceitful narratives are numbered. My Ministry will introduce stringent measures to regulate digital media and curb fake news. So help me God,” he declared.

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Ghana has various legal frameworks designed to curb the spread of fake news, including:

Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775) – Criminalizes the transmission of false information through electronic means, with penalties of up to GHS 36,000 or five years in prison.
Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) – Penalizes the dissemination of false statements that incite fear or public disorder, punishable by fines or a three-year prison term.
Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) – Strengthens protections against cyber-related offenses, including deliberate disinformation.

Concerns regarding media integrity and public confidence have been raised by the growing use of disinformation in political rivalry. The battle against misinformation has become much more challenging with the emergence of deepfake technology and AI-driven manipulation.

Sam George’s dedication to combating fake news is poised to transform Ghana’s digital environment as he gets ready to take on his ministerial responsibilities. The fight against disinformation is anticipated to get more intense in the upcoming months due to tighter laws and greater awareness.

Stay tuned for further updates on Ghana’s fight against disinformation.

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