Hate speech not freedom of expression

Some of the globally accepted goals of freedom of expression include assistance in the democratic decision-making, aiding the process of stability and change in society.

It is the more reason why, throughout the world, free speech is regarded as an essential foundation of democratic societies, for which reason it needs to be guaranteed without let or hindrance.

However, of late it appears that hate speech is on the ascendency in the country, posing a threat to the very foundation of free speech and resulting in needless fear and panic in society.

 Indeed, a section of society seems to equate hate speech with freedom of expression and are going to all lengths to spew venom.

This has compelled the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr John Kudalor, to reiterate his conviction that social media should be shut down on Election Day to promote peace and sanity in the election. 

It was in this vein that a public forum on the theme: “Issues, not insults”, was organised in Accra last Thursday to discuss issues concerning the media, hate speech and peaceful elections. 

Many participants in the forum, including a former Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), Mr Kabral Blay-Amihere, called for a national dialogue on how to avert the potential threats hate speech and social media could pose to the country during this year’s polls.

Although the Daily Graphic is equally worried about hate speech, we will caution the IGP to hasten slowly.

In the view of the Daily Graphic, a dialogue to discuss how the media could be strategically positioned to report responsibly to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections on December 7, 2016 is long overdue.

This is because a responsible media can be a good tool for nation building. In the same vein, an irresponsible media, if not properly handled, could equally be a tool for mass destruction. 

Our first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, warned that although the media had the potential to do good, they had the potential to cause harm if left in the hands of reckless people.

The Rwanda genocide of 1994 easily comes to mind, actually triggered by the media and leading to the killing of more than a million people within 100 days. 

The Daily Graphic adds its voice to the call on media practitioners and media owners in the country to be wary of what they use their platforms to promote.

We would also like to agree with Mr Blay Amihere that although the Constitution guarantees free speech and freedom of the media, it is important for the media to be responsible in the way those freedoms are exercised.

That is why professional bodies such as the Ghana Journalists Association and the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association must self-regulate in order to ensure that media practitioners adhere to professional standards. 

At all times, freedom of expression must be geared towards promoting progress, not destruction.

Ghanaians have useful lessons to guide them as they walk the path of democracy and not wait for a few trouble makers to drag us into violence by their reckless speech.