Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has issued a stark warning regarding the future of media in Ghana, urging for a revival of traditional media outlets like newspapers and demanding strict adherence to the rule of law for all media operations, old and new.

Speaking as a distinguished guest and patron at the recent Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) awards ceremony held at the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Jubilee Hall at the Manhyia Palace, the Asantehene emphasized the profound implications of the current media landscape for both policymakers and consumers.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II expressed deep concern over the potential for the media profession to be undermined by "professional hustlers" and the looming threat of its eventual extinction.

He underscored the critical need for a media that operates within the legal framework of the state, asserting that "the rule of law is the foundation of democracy.

"We cannot have a vital part of our society which is exempt from the rule of law," the Asantehene declared. He went on to state unequivocally that any form of media, new or old, operating without any form of legal constraint is potentially a direct threat to democracy.

The monarch stressed the importance for Ghana, as a sovereign nation, to ensure respect for and compliance with its laws and traditions across the board, advocating for the elimination of impunity in the media space, just as in public life.

A significant portion of the Asantehene's address focused on the impact of new media on the nation's cultural fabric and the minds of its citizens, particularly the youth. He lamented the erosion of cherished traditional values which he believes have been supplanted by a slurry of language unfit for humankind.

Drawing a parallel to the age-old wisdom that "just as food shapes the physical man, what we imbibe and communicate defines what shapes our brains," Otumfuo Osei Tutu II invoked the digital age principle of "garbage in, garbage out."

"This means that when you fill the mind with garbage and filth, the brain can also be shaped in garbage, and the output we can expect is nothing but garbage," he explained, lamenting that no professional would willingly embrace such contamination.

The Asantehene called for a concerted effort to clear the slurry and enable the media profession to retain its honor. He specifically implored for a serious dialogue to find a pathway towards preserving the dignity and respect of the profession, reminiscent of its historical titans. The

He called for the resurrection of traditional media, particularly newspapers, emphasizing on its established mediums that have historically upheld certain standards, adding that the new media landscape is contributing to their decline.

The gathering, which celebrated journalistic excellence, was also marked by the Asantehene's strong endorsement of the need for reflection and action to safeguard the integrity of media in Ghana.