The Private Newspaper Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) today paid a courtesy call on the United States Embassy in Ghana to rekindle past relations.
PRINPAG had had warm relationships with US authorities, but today’s meeting was purposely arranged to discuss how to strengthen the goodwill further to help reinforce the independence of the media in Ghana.
PRINPAG is particularly seeking support for the imminent 2020 general elections as it initiates an educational platform for electorates.
PRINPAG says, it would this year be educating the electorates on what to look out for in plans and manifestos of competing political parties to facilitate their decision making process.
In the conversation, PRINPAG executives who expressed gratitude for the past relations with Americans, requested more collaboration to strengthen the dying media which is suffering an onslaught from the ongoing social media revolution.
Despite the influx of social media, the ethics of independent and traditional media is important to maintain good governance in the country, PRINPAG said.
PRINPAG also expressed concerns to the Americans about how justice has been delayed in the murder of undercover investigative journalist, Ahmed Suale. Suale was shot at point-blank range after his cover was blown by the ruling government’s Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong.
Suale who works for Tiger Eye PI, had investigated a web of influence peddling within the Jubilee House and the Ghana Football Association.
The US Embassy acknowledged the gruelling challenges faced by the Ghanaian media. Naomi A. Mattos, the Press Attaché to the embassy noted that US authorities have had encounters with Ghanaian government officials and that they promised to protect press freedom in Ghana.
The embassy also urged PRINPAG to help curb the menace of fake news that has swept through the new media landscape.
The Counselor of Public Affairs, Mr. Roberto Quiroz and Madam Zainab, Information Specialist at the United State Embassy were also present at the meeting.