No Social Media Shut-Down On Election Day- Media Commission


The National Media Commission, (NMC) has assured Ghanaians that social media will not be shut down during the December 7 General Elections, despite growing anxiety about its possibility.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, George Sarpong, said the NMC, has engaged stakeholders in government and has received assurances that a shut-down is “not going to happen”

Already, alternative ways to access some social media platform has been circulating on Facebook, What’s App, Twitter as  social media users demonstrate uneasiness since a shutdown debate was generated by the police.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) John Kudalor last May announced that if social media becomes a tool for misinformation on election day, the police will have no other way but to shut down Social media and go the Ugandan way.

Voters in Uganda woke up on Election Day February 19 to find they were unable to access social media platforms - they had been shut-down over government fears that they would be used to spread "lies".

The NMC says it has taken note of the destructive use of the platform in the name of politics and intends to monitor users.

Mr. Sarpong explained that political posts especially audio-visual content will be checked for truthfulness. It will draw the attention of users not to further circulate insightful materials or peddle untruths and also caution those who post non-edifying content.

The Commission is of the view that social media represents freedom of expression and a shut-down could infringe on fundamental rights of Free Speech that is guaranteed in the 1992 constitution.

President John Mahama also added his voice by assuring Ghanaians, there will be no blackout of social media on Election Day.

Mr. John Kudalor, since the negative reception to the idea, has moved to cool off apprehensions about the ban but has refused to rule it out.

"So far, so good...whether we will shut it down or not, I don't want to go there, when we get to the bridge we will cross it but as at now, we have no intention to shut down social media if you continue to be good citizens," he has said.

There are at least 3.5 million Facebook users in Ghana.

GBC