FACT-CHECK: Ghana’s ranking on the global press freedom index has consistently declined since 1992?

Claim: Ghana has consistently dropped down in global press freedom rankings since 1992

Source: Edward Abambire Bawa

Verdict: FALSE

Researched by Sedem Kwasigah

The MP for Bongo Constituency in the Upper East Region, Edward Abambire Bawa, claims Ghana has consistently dropped down in the annual global press freedom rankings since 1992.

Speaking on The Big Issue talk programme on Citi TV/FM on October 14, 2023, the MP said: “If you look at it. Since 1992 until now, if you look at our standing in the World Press Index, you realise that we are constantly going back. You remember last year, we were 60th on the ranking, this year, we have fallen to 62nd because of the behaviour that we put out there.” (49:29-50:03).

Background

His comments follow the recent attack on a private TV station, United Televisions (UTV) during a live entertainment programme by a group of hoodlums, who are sympathizers of New Patriotic Party (NPP). The NPP party supporters were demanding regular panel representation on the programme.

Meanwhile the perpetrators have since been prosecuted and sentenced to pay a fine of GHS 2400.0 each.

Fact-Check

To fact-check the claim, GhanaFact will use data from Reporters Without Borders (RSF), an international public interest organisation that defends and promotes freedom of information.

The international organization was founded in France in 1985 to advocate for press freedom worldwide and in 2002 began the International Press Freedom ranking. Therefore, the claim that Ghana has consistently dropped down in rankings is not accurate.

The Index’s rankings are based on a score ranging from 0 to 100 that is assigned to each country or territory, with 100 being the best possible score (the highest possible level of press freedom) and 0 the worst.

Since the inception of the press freedom ranking, Ghana’s best performance index was 22nd in the year 2015; the worst was 67 in 2002, the first year the Press Freedom ranking started.

A trend analysis of Ghana’s overall ranking since the inception of the Press Freedom Ranking indicates that Ghana’s performance in terms of Press Freedom has not been static.

However, it is worth noting that Ghana’s performance in the last few years Ghana’S performance has declined moving from the 23^rd position in 2018 to 62^nd in 2023.

Source Data: Reporters Without Borders 

Verdict

The claim that Ghana’s ranking on the global press freedom index has consistently declined since 1992 is false.