Tawfik Mohammed of the Department of Communication Studies, UPSA, has raised concerns about the growing influence of politically connected individuals in Ghana’s media landscape, warning that such ownership patterns threaten diversity, fairness, and the integrity of public discourse.
He made the remarks while speaking at the Media Convergence in Ghana programme, organised by the Africa Media Bureau on Wednesday, April 29, at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel.
The forum brought together media professionals, policymakers, students, and digital experts to examine the evolving dynamics of the media ecosystem, particularly amid rapid technological change and digital transformation.
In his presentation, Tawfik pointed to what he described as a troubling trend of political actors gaining increasing control over major media platforms.
According to him, this shift is not only reshaping media ownership structures but also influencing the type of content produced and disseminated to the public.
He warned that such concentration undermines the principles of plurality and diversity, which are critical to a healthy democratic environment.
Tawfik noted that when media outlets are controlled by politically affiliated individuals or entities, the risk of biased reporting increases, along with the marginalisation of alternative viewpoints.
He also highlighted broader systemic challenges within Ghana’s digital and media space, including the absence of comprehensive digital policies, which he said have resulted in a fragmented and uncoordinated governance framework.
“The absence of digital policies has created a fragmented governance environment, while significant gender disparities in access highlight persistent digital inequalities. More critically, media ownership is increasingly concentrated among politically connected actors, leading to cross-ownership that raises concerns about diversity and plurality.
“Convergence has further strengthened this concentration as large media conglomerates now operate across multiple platforms, amplifying their influence over public discourse.
“At the same time, media organisations are adopting new digital revenue models through platforms such as social media.
“These gains are undermined by weak financial sustainability and precarious working conditions, making convergence both an economic opportunity and structural vulnerability.”
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