Ethics of financial journalism key to fighting disinformation – Bernard Otabil

The Director of Communications of the Bank of Ghana, Bernard Otabil, has underscored the critical role of ethical financial journalism in combating misinformation and disinformation, describing them as major global threats.

Otabil was speaking on Monday, October 19, 2026, when he delivered the welcome address at the opening of a three-day training workshop for the Bank of Ghana Press Corps in Accra.

Welcoming participants on behalf of the Governor, Management and staff of the Bank, Otabil said the workshop formed part of the Bank’s continued commitment to building a well-informed media, noting that monetary policy was most effective when it was understood, trusted and accurately communicated.

He extended a special welcome to Suleiman Mustapha, National Organising Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and a member of the Press Corps, as well as other participants who had travelled to attend the programme.

Outlining the workshop’s programme, Otabil said the first day would cover media reporting ethics, the mandate and regulatory role of the Bank, and an understanding of the central bank’s balance sheet.

Humanise monetary policy reporting – Bernard Otabil urges journalists

The second day would focus on the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme, trends in the foreign exchange market, inflation dynamics, and how to interpret Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) statements and individual members’ submissions, which he described as a major transparency reform.

The final day would examine case studies on ethical dilemmas in financial journalism.

Otabil said members of the Press Corps played a critical role in communicating economic developments to the public, noting that although many people might not read MPC reports, they relied on headlines and news reports to make economic decisions.

"Accuracy, therefore, is not just a professional virtue; it is an economic asset," he stressed.

Explaining why the workshop was beginning with ethics, Otabil, a former head of the Bank’s Ethics and Internal Investigations Office, said financial journalism carried significant responsibilities because inaccurate reporting could influence market behaviour.

"The ethics of financial journalism matters because in finance, words move markets. A misleading headline on inflation, exchange rates, or the policy rate can create panic, fuel speculation, and hurt the very households and businesses we are trying to protect. Ethical reporting – grounded in verification, balance, context, and clarity – is our first defence against disinformation and misinformation," he said.

He noted that misinformation and disinformation were no longer peripheral concerns, citing the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report, which ranks them among the most severe global threats.

"From deepfakes to AI-generated market rumours, from social media amplification to coordinated disinformation campaigns targeting currencies, no central bank and no country is immune. This is a global phenomenon, driven by technology and the speed of digital platforms, and it has undermined public trust everywhere," he said.

Otabil added that credibility had become journalism’s most valuable asset, stressing that upholding ethical standards went beyond publishing news reports.

"When you uphold ethical standards, you do more than file a story – you anchor expectations, protect savings, safeguard economic stability, and help Ghanaians make informed choices," he said.

He reiterated the Bank’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the media through expanded training programmes, the Regional Press Corps, the Editors’ Forum, dedicated communication platforms, and the Governor’s Economic and Financial Story of the Year Award.

Otabil thanked participants for their partnership over the past year and encouraged them to participate fully in the workshop, ask questions and challenge the Bank.