Free Speech, Press Freedom, and Democracy in Ghana

Abstract

Theoretically portrayed as monolithic in the African communication scholarship, Ghana media system calls for a conceptual explanation of its position both as apparatus of political suppression and as a weapon of people's advocacy and liberation. Notwithstanding availability of scholarly works regarding press development in Ghana; there is the need to situate its differing roles in the contemporary democracies as a watchdog, mediator, and advocate and, ideological state apparatus within a specific theoretical context. This paper chooses exploratory method to discuss free speech, press freedom, and media ownership in Ghana, with focus on the roles of the colonialists, anti-colonial activists, post-independence democratic government, and business conglomerates. While exploring the identified subject matter, this paper discusses specific factors that affect free speech and press activities within the framework of diverse political and legal settings that operate in Ghana.