On 4 May 2026, at the World Press Freedom Day event in Ghana, Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) founder Prof. Kwame Karikari renewed calls for the passage of Ghana’s long-stalled Broadcast Bill which was first introduced in 1998, arguing that nearly three decades of delay have left the country’s broadcasting sector without a coherent legal framework. He said the absence of the law has created a regulatory vacuum that weakens accountability, transparency and professionalism in the media sector. The event, hosted by the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) in partnership with MFWA and the Ghana Commission for UNESCO, brought together journalists, students, educators, policymakers and civil society actors.
According to the founder, the current system operates without a comprehensive, coherent legal framework, relies on a patchwork of laws, with regulatory authority split mainly between the National Communications Authority and the National Media Commission. This fragmentation reportedly leaves gaps around ownership, political capture, public-interest and professional standards. Prof. Karikari also warned that weak regulation contributes to poor oversight and allows unverified online content and disinformation to be amplified through mainstream media.
The event signals growing concern among media freedom actors that the prolonged inaction on the Broadcast Bill could continue to undermine media independence, effective regulation and public trust. This issue could affect debates on freedom of expression, media accountability and the broader openness of Ghana’s civic and information environment.