The Acting Public Affairs Officer, Matthew Asada, has reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to press freedom, describing it as a core democratic value and a shared principle between the U.S. and Ghana.
Speaking at the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) Honors Night 2026 held at the Alisa Hotel Accra on Saturday, June 6, Mr. Asada said press freedom remains central not only to U.S. foreign policy but also to his personal and professional background in journalism and communication.
He noted that Ghana’s media landscape continues to show progress, citing the country’s rise to 39th out of 180 countries in the latest Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index — its strongest performance in five years. He described the achievement as “worth celebrating,” while urging continued efforts to safeguard the gains.
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Marking the upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, Mr. Asada emphasized that freedom of speech and press are foundational to American democracy, describing the United States as a long-standing global advocate for open expression and accountability.
He stressed that while digital-age challenges such as misinformation, deepfakes, and online safety concerns are real and require solutions, censorship is not the answer. According to him, broad restrictions on speech risk undermining democratic freedoms rather than protecting them.
Turning attention to Ghana, the Acting Public Affairs Officer expressed concern about recent arrests linked to false news and offensive speech, referencing reports that 14 such cases have been recorded in less than 16 months. He cautioned that laws intended to regulate misinformation must not be used to silence dissent or critical voices.
He further called for stronger protection of journalists, particularly against physical attacks, while urging greater emphasis on professional training, ethical journalism, and collaboration between media institutions, technology platforms, and academic bodies.
Mr. Asada concluded by reaffirming that Ghana’s democratic reputation and media freedom must be protected through tolerance of diverse views rather than suppression. He assured journalists of continued U.S. support, stating: “Your voice matters. The United States stands with you.”
