The Ashanti Regional President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Kofi Adu Domfe, has defended the jailing of a TikToker over alleged defamatory comments about the President, insisting that freedom of speech does not give anyone the right to spread falsehoods.

Speaking on the growing controversy surrounding the case via a zoom interview on Kessben TV’s Digest show, Mr. Domfe cautioned that social media platforms must not become safe havens for reckless and defamatory content.
“The social media must not be used recklessly,” he stated.

He stressed that bloggers, influencers, and journalists should not hide behind the principle of free speech to justify defamatory publications.
“Bloggers and journalists must not frown on defamation law in the name of free speech.”
Mr. Domfe also expressed concern over the increasing number of unregulated online content creators, saying many people now claim to be journalists simply because they own smartphones.
“Everybody picks a phone and begins to claim they are news publishers, denting the image of ethical journalism.”

According to him, the media landscape requires greater accountability to protect the integrity of journalism and ensure the public receives credible information.
He therefore called for stronger regulation of new media platforms and content creators.
“We need to pay critical attention to the new media and streamline their activities.”

Commenting on the jailed TikToker’s remarks about the President, Mr. Dimfe argued that the statements amounted to unsubstantiated falsehoods that fall within the scope of criminal offences.
“What the woman said on social media about the President borders on defamation and unsubstantiated falsehood.”
He concluded by reminding media practitioners and online commentators that the constitutional right to free expression comes with responsibility.
“Freedom of speech has its limitation, so whether you are a blogger or a journalist, you must be responsible and mindful of the kind of information you spread to the public.”

His remarks come amid an intensifying national debate over online misinformation, responsible digital communication, and the balance between free expression and accountability on social media

Member of Parliament for Ejisu, Lawyer Kwabena Boateng, has argued that the alleged defamatory remarks made against President John Dramani Mahama do not constitute a criminal offence under Ghanaian law.

Speaking on the matter via a zoom interview on Kessben TV’s Digest show, Boateng stressed that while the comments could potentially give rise to a civil defamation suit, they fall short of the legal threshold required for criminal prosecution.
He explained that in civil defamation cases, anyone who republishes defamatory material may also be held liable.
“In civil remedy for defamation, there is what we call republication, which attracts equal punishment to publication,” he said.

According to the Ejisu MP, the alleged comments made by the woman in question cannot be classified as a criminal offence against the President.
“What the lady did was not a criminal offence against the first gentleman of the land,” Boateng stated.

He further clarified that criminal liability only arises where false publications are capable of threatening public order or national interest.
“If there is a publication of falsehood that can corrupt public health, public peace or national security, it amounts to a criminal offence,” he explained.

Boateng also observed that occupying the highest office in the country naturally exposes the President to criticism and insults.
“As a president, the likelihood that someone would insult the president is high,” he noted.
Addressing the specific allegation at the centre of the controversy, Boateng argued that no law in Ghana prohibits the killing of cattle.
“The lady in question did not say the president killed a pregnant woman for sacrifice but cattle, and there is no law in Ghana that bars the president or anyone from killing cows,” he said.

His comments come as public debate intensifies over the limits of free speech, defamation laws, and the extent to which public officials should be protected from offensive or controversial remarks.

The Ashanti Regional President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Kofi Adu Domfe, has defended the jailing of a TikToker over alleged defamatory comments about the President, insisting that freedom of speech does not give anyone the right to spread falsehoods.

Speaking on the growing controversy surrounding the case via a zoom interview on Kessben TV’s Digest show, Mr. Domfe cautioned that social media platforms must not become safe havens for reckless and defamatory content.
“The social media must not be used recklessly,” he stated.

He stressed that bloggers, influencers, and journalists should not hide behind the principle of free speech to justify defamatory publications.
“Bloggers and journalists must not frown on defamation law in the name of free speech.”
Mr. Domfe also expressed concern over the increasing number of unregulated online content creators, saying many people now claim to be journalists simply because they own smartphones.
“Everybody picks a phone and begins to claim they are news publishers, denting the image of ethical journalism.”

According to him, the media landscape requires greater accountability to protect the integrity of journalism and ensure the public receives credible information.
He therefore called for stronger regulation of new media platforms and content creators.
“We need to pay critical attention to the new media and streamline their activities.”

Commenting on the jailed TikToker’s remarks about the President, Mr. Dimfe argued that the statements amounted to unsubstantiated falsehoods that fall within the scope of criminal offences.
“What the woman said on social media about the President borders on defamation and unsubstantiated falsehood.”
He concluded by reminding media practitioners and online commentators that the constitutional right to free expression comes with responsibility.
“Freedom of speech has its limitation, so whether you are a blogger or a journalist, you must be responsible and mindful of the kind of information you spread to the public.”

His remarks come amid an intensifying national debate over online misinformation, responsible digital communication, and the balance between free expression and accountability on social media.

By Maurice Otoo