The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has disclosed that his ministry is preparing to introduce legislation to tackle misinformation and disinformation.
Addressing a press briefing on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, he stated that the proposed legislation is expected to be laid before Parliament when it resumes sitting in May.
“We’re coming up with specialised legislation that will be very respectful of the freedom of speech. However, when the lines are crossed with intentional misinformation or palpable disinformation, the law will clearly spell out the punishments in Parliament,” he noted.
The communications minister further disclosed that a team within the ministry had already started compiling dossiers on individuals involved in misinformation and disinformation.
“I have mandated that a team dedicated to building digital dossiers has been working for the past two weeks. So, for those who’ve been engaged in misinformation and disinformation, know that criminal offenses have no time limitation. We will be going to Parliament as soon as it resumes in May,” he said.
He emphasised that the era of impunity for those spreading falsehoods about individuals was coming to an end.
“We cannot be in the jungle on the internet. The law will work in tandem with platform operators to ensure that, as quickly as possible, we deal decisively with those involved. So, once again, I repeat, the era of fake news is coming to an end. We don’t want to act arbitrarily, and that’s why we want to lay the law before Parliament to be backed by law,” he added.
“We will work together to finalize it. But be mindful, we’re already building the digital dossiers, and once the law is passed, we will swing into action immediately to deal with it,” he concluded.
JKB/MA