The Ghanaian Democrat

Govt. not against private press ? Mahama

In its lead story, the Ghanaian Democrat says there is no deliberate attempt by the government of the NDC to throw the private press out of business. Rather, it is the determination of the government to encourage the both the private and the state-owned media to play their role to ensure the survival of democracy in Ghana.

The paper quoted the Minister of Communications, Mr John Mahama as stressing these points in an address on the occasion of this year?s "World Press Freedom Day", in Accra.

The paper says Mr Mahama who was reacting to rumours from certain quarters that the government has placed an embargo on the placement of advertisement in ?opposition? private newspapers, pointed out that it was not true that there was a unit in the Ministry that goes through newspapers to ensure that ministries and other government agencies are not critical of the government.

He is reported as saying that the government was fully aware of the important role the private press is playing in the development of the Ghanaian society.

According to the Democrat, the Minister therefore called on ministries to place advertisement in any newspaper of their choice. Mr Mahama, the paper says, however, pointed out that if a newspaper is too sensational and subjective in its reporting, it may scare away prospective advertisers and advised the media to uphold the truth always.