PRINPAG president appeals for funding, regulation to strengthen private media

‎The President of the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), David Sitsofe Tamakloe, has called for increased funding, supportive regulation and stronger partnerships to enable the private media to remain effective and independent.
‎
‎Speaking at the  Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) Capacity-Building Workshop on “Responsible Security Reporting”  on Saturday, August 29, at Platinum Bay Hotel, Abokobi, Accra, Tamakloe said, financial and institutional support was critical to sustaining the media industry.
‎
‎He noted that, despite the importance of the media to democracy, media organisations have faced challenges in accessing the resources and regulatory environment needed to operate effectively.
‎
‎“We are often told that democracy is expensive. Yet, paradoxically, we have cut media budgets and failed to provide the regulations that protect the sanctity of our industry,” the President said.
‎
‎According to him, regulation should not be used to suppress freedom of expression but should instead help protect credible journalism from the spread of false information.
‎
‎“With the evolution of time, we can legislate to protect the media not to stifle freedom of speech, but to insulate truth from the cacophony of falsehood,” the President said.
‎
‎Tamakloe called for a media environment that is properly resourced, regulated and independent.
‎
‎“Let us shine that sunlight through a well-resourced, well-regulated, and fiercely independent press.”
‎
‎He also called for greater support for media associations, stressing that private media organisations need the tools and resources required to perform their role effectively.
‎
‎“This is why media associations like PRINPAG must be supported. We cannot sharpen our swords on stones that do not exist,” he said.
‎
‎“The private media must be oiled, empowered, and equipped to thrive,” he added.
‎
‎However, the President acknowledged that funding alone would not guarantee responsible journalism, urging media practitioners to combine resources with professional integrity.
‎
‎“But resource alone is not enough. As journalists and media practitioners, we must use our integrity to defend the journalism profession,” he noted.
‎
‎The President further urged journalists to uphold professional standards, value their culture and place the national interest above narrow agendas.
‎
‎“We must uphold standards, value our culture and our shared humanity, and always prioritise our nation’s interest above narrow agendas,” he admonished.