Unregulated new media threatens future of journalism- Asantehene warns

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has raised serious concerns over the impact of unregulated new media on the future of journalism in Ghana, calling on media practitioners, policymakers, and the public to take urgent action to preserve the integrity of the profession.

Speaking at a dinner during the 29th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards held at the Manhyia Palace on Saturday, November 8, Otumfuo highlighted the challenges posed by the rapid rise of digital platforms and unregulated media practices.

According to him, these trends not only threaten professional journalism but also carry implications for democracy, societal values, and national stability.

“There are wider issues, more profound in their implications for policymakers and consumers alike,” the Asantehene remarked.

“We must ask ourselves two key questions: How worried should we be about the potential hijacking of the media profession by professional hustlers, and can the nation afford a media operating without regard to the laws of the state?”

Otumfuo stressed that while freedom of expression remains a fundamental pillar of democracy, media operations cannot operate outside the framework of the law.

“Any form of media, new or old, operating without any form of legal constraint is potentially a direct threat to democracy,” he warned, adding that adherence to the rule of law must guide every sector, including journalism.

The Asantehene also expressed alarm over declining moral and linguistic standards in the media, particularly in digital spaces.

He cautioned that the content being consumed by younger generations could undermine national values and intellectual growth.

“Our cherished traditional values have been swept away in a slurry of language unfit for humankind,” he noted. “When you fill the mind with garbage and filth, the brain can also be shaped in garbage, and the output we can expect is nothing but garbage.”

Otumfuo urged stakeholders in the media landscape to engage in meaningful dialogue to safeguard the honour and dignity of journalism.

He invoked the legacy of veteran media practitioners like P.A.V. Ansah, emphasizing the need to restore the respect and credibility once commanded by the profession.

The media sector has faced increasing scrutiny over the past decade, with the proliferation of online news portals, blogs, and social media platforms making regulation challenging.

While these platforms have expanded access to information, concerns over misinformation, sensationalism, and the erosion of professional standards have persisted, sparking national conversations about media ethics and oversight.

The Asantehene’s remarks come at a time when the Ghana Journalists Association continues to advocate for professional excellence, ethical reporting, and the protection of press freedom in an increasingly digital media environment.

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