Professor Guy Burger, an emeritus professor at Rhodes University in South Africa, has called for independent and multi-sector regulation of “big tech” companies concerning data transparency and information management to ensure clean elections on December 7.
He emphasized that the regulatory body should consist of experts with the necessary knowledge in the field.
Professor Burger noted that Ghana, like other African nations, must be vigilant against the threats of misinformation and disinformation on social media, which currently lack regulation.
He stressed the importance of implementing measures to promote a healthy information ecosystem ahead of the upcoming general election in the era of the Internet and artificial intelligence.
He spoke on the topic “The links between African journalism, big tech, elections, and data: How to fill the gap” at an event organized by the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) and the National Media Commission (NMC).
According to him, regulation is essential because “a little bit of bad stuff can derail all the good stuff that has happened.” However, he suggested that solutions should not be one-size-fits-all but should be tailored to address specific issues as they arise.
“Regulation could address competition, monopolies, or other challenges based on what a country is facing,” he explained, noting that some big tech companies exploit media content without proper compensation.
Acknowledging the complexities of governing the Internet and AI, Professor Burger advocated for responsible media practices to ensure credible and safe elections.
His presentation garnered feedback from several media experts, including former Daily Graphic editors Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh and Kobby Asmah, as well as Kwesi Gyan Apenteng, Professor Audrey Gadzekpo from the University of Ghana, and Gabriel Bosompem, a member of the NMC.
In his comments, GBC Director-General Professor Amin Alhassan stated that the national broadcaster would provide equal access to all political parties certified by the Electoral Commission (EC) to utilize its platforms at no cost.
He also mentioned that GBC would offer media spaces for sale to interested parties beyond this free access.
