Stop Feeding Fear and Panic with Unverified Security Reports — CSA Boss Cautions Journalists
The Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), Mr. Divine Selase Agbeti, has urged journalists to prioritise accuracy over speed when reporting on national security, communal conflicts and public emergencies.
He warned that publishing unverified information could rapidly spread fear, inflame tensions and undermine public confidence, particularly in an era where digital content can reach thousands of people within minutes.
Mr Agbeti made the call at the closing ceremony of a two-day residential training workshop for members of the Private Newspapers and Online Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) at the Platinum Bay Hotel, Abokobi.
The workshop was held under the theme “Media as a Strategic Partner in National Security.”
The CSA Director-General urged journalists to adopt the principle of “verify before amplifying”, stressing the need to independently authenticate security-related information before publication.
He encouraged journalists to geolocate digital material where possible and cross-check reports with credible official and community sources.
Mr Divine Selase Agbeti cautioned media organisations against publishing sensitive operational information that could compromise investigations or put lives at risk.
He said journalists should avoid disclosing tactical positions, the identities of protected persons, sensitive investigative details or information that could assist criminals and hostile actors.
According to him, although public interest must remain central to journalism, responsible reporting requires journalists to balance the public’s right to know with legitimate security considerations.
He also called for prompt and visible corrections whenever inaccurate information was published.
Mr Divine Selase Agbeti said corrections should receive sufficient prominence to reach audiences who may have already seen the original report.
“Responsible journalism is demonstrated not by never making a mistake, but by responding transparently when one occurs,” he said.
He further urged PRINPAG to develop a dedicated newsroom protocol for national security and cyber-incident reporting.
He said such a protocol should protect editorial independence while establishing clear standards for verification, source protection, handling of sensitive information, corrections and engagement with relevant authorities.
Mr Divine Selase Agbeti noted that the workshop’s true value would ultimately be determined by the changes it produced in newsrooms after the programme.
The training formed part of broader efforts to strengthen cooperation between the media and security institutions and equip journalists to navigate Ghana’s increasingly complex information environment.
Source: Felix Nyaaba/expressnewsghana.com
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