Penplusbytes calls for public Education over arrests in fight against Misinformation

Story By : Deborah Adorsu

As Ghana grapples with rising cases of false content, Media and Governance think tank, Penplusbytes, is advocating for intensified public education on misinformation, disinformation and hate speech, saying sensitization should take precedence over arrests.

The organization argues that cracking down on individuals without adequate public awareness will not solve the growing menace.Speaking on the issue, the Programmes Director of Penplusbytes, Precious Ankomah, said most Ghanaians still have limited knowledge of what constitutes harmful content, the regulatory frameworks that govern it, and the repercussions of flouting those regulations.

According to her, many citizens unknowingly share false content because they lack basic media and information literacy.

She stressed that the fight against misinformation cannot be won through arrests alone without adequately sensitizing citizens on responsible information sharing and digital accountability.

Madam Ankomah therefore called on government, the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), the media and civil society organisations to scale up sustained education campaigns to equip the public to identify and resist misinformation, disinformation and hate speech.