The Managing Director (MD) of the Graphic Communications Group Ltd (GCGL), Ato Afful, has cautioned against the growing trend of unregulated publishing of content on social media, saying that such practices fuel the spread of harmful and unverified information, particularly during disasters.
He said the evolution of digital technology had turned every device holder into a publisher, often without the necessary training or ethical guardrails that guide professional media practice.
“Now, anyone with a small device, some even with watches and other gadgets, has become a publisher. Who do we trust to put out the right level of information in terms of accuracy and responsibility?” he asked.
Mr Afful gave the caution when the leadership of the Data Protection Commission paid a courtesy call on him at the office in Accra yesterday.
The visit formed part of the DPC’s launch of its national privacy awareness campaign on the theme: “Privacy is personal.”
Present at the meeting were the Director, Sales and Marketing, GCGL, Franklin Sowa; a Deputy News Editor of the Daily Graphic, Samuel Ebo Kwaitoo, and the Director of Regulatory Compliance at the DPC, Quintin Akrobotu.
The campaign, which runs until the end of the month, is aimed at educating the public on their rights and obligations under the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843).
Activities will include media engagements, community outreaches and stakeholder conferences.
Recall
The MD recalled the August 6, 2025, helicopter crash in the Obuasi area, where some untrained individuals flooded digital platforms with disturbing images, undermining the dignity of the victims.
He said such behaviours were direct consequences of the digital evolution, where non-professionals were able to do whatever they wanted without recourse to principles of journalism.
Mr Afful also expressed concern over the obsession with filming rather than helping in critical situations.
“Lately, when you go on to digital channels during accident situations, you see people recording gory scenes instead of helping to rescue victims. Is that the immediate response to a critical situation?”
The MD said the consequences of unverified digital publishing included instability, conflicts and fear-mongering.
Mr Afful said the GCGL remained committed to supporting the Data Protection Commission’s national privacy awareness campaign, describing it as a timely intervention.
Appreciation
The Executive Director of the DPC, Dr Arnold Kavaarpuo, expressed appreciation to the management of GCGL for the company’s commitment to the campaign and data protection.
He said the commission, which was marking its 10th anniversary this year, was using the campaign as a platform to relaunch itself with a renewed focus on rights awareness, compliance and capacity-building.
“Our mandate is derived from the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843). Yet, not enough people know that they have rights under the Act,” Dr Kavaarpuo said.
He also identified major compliance gaps and said many organisations that processed personal data had failed to register with the commission as required by law.
“Our ecosystem needs certified supervisors who understand the law, the risks and the technologies involved. Without them, compliance will remain weak,” Dr Kavaarpuo added.
He commended GCGL for its longstanding reputation as a credible national brand and said the partnership between the two organisations would help the commission extend its reach to the wider public.
