The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has launched a new project called ‘Defending Media Freedom and Strengthening Climate Reporting’ in response to the declining media coverage on climate change and press freedom issues in the country. This initiative, aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 13 and 16, aims to improve climate reporting and press freedom as the 2024 general elections approach.
Recent years have seen a decrease in media freedom in Ghana, with journalists facing attacks, especially during election periods. Journalists like Ahmed Suale, who was tragically murdered without justice for years, as well as Latif Iddrisu, Anas Sabit, and Erastus Asare Donkor of the Multimedia Group, have all encountered various forms of attacks in their line of work.
To address these challenges, the Ghana Center for Democratic Development, in collaboration with the Danish Embassy, has launched the SDG 13 and 16 project to advocate for media freedom and climate reporting. The Multimedia Group is one of the beneficiaries of this project, aiming to spark discussions on media freedom as the activities for the upcoming general elections intensify.
During a recent event, Kwaku Owusu Peprah, the Channel Manager for JoyNews at the MGL conglomerate, emphasized the importance of creating a safe environment for journalists to operate. He stressed that journalism requires journalists to raise their voices, ask tough questions, and ensure their safety while carrying out their duties.
The project by the Multimedia Group will focus on defending media freedom, conducting stakeholder dialogues, and launching social media campaigns. They plan to organize two major national dialogues in both the Southern and Northern regions of Ghana to engage media stakeholders in discussions on creating a safe space for journalists, especially during the elections. Additionally, the group will provide training sessions for journalists on safety measures in their line of work.
Furthermore, other institutions and organizations have also received grants to enhance climate reporting and raise awareness about the impact of climate change. These activities aim to support the implementation of SDGs 13 and 16 in Ghana, highlighting the importance of addressing both press freedom and climate-related issues in the country.
