Abuse of Freedom of Speech

The call by well meaning Ghanaians to both politicians and civil society groups to

eschew the avid patronage of foul language most especially in this electioneering

year, smirks of wrong self disposition in communication. The aroma to chronicle some

few words to shed light on the most battered vocabulary without deeper understanding

to most of its users, “Free expression”, is so inviting to resist.

Freedom of speech originated and thrived among the ancient Greeks. Indeed, any

society that promotes and ensures the festering of free expression curbs national

strife. The Greeks’ defined ‘Freedom of speech’ as expressing what is true and

naturally exist. Therefore, in exercising one’s natural right to self expression it

is enjoined on the fellow to remain fare to his or her self and just to the

audience. Hence, to express an idea or opinion which is deficient of truth and lacks

natural existence only denigrates reputations and cripples social serenity.

Naturally, no man has been called to a state of quietism. Besides, man as a moral

being is said to be free. This same agent is considered as freedom, and freedom is

man. Therefore, man has choices to make in every facet of life. This has been looked

as a burden upon man. Nonetheless, in the execution of this free will to act one

needs to take in to consideration the teleology of the actions. The exercise of

one’s right to free expression should not be to the detriment of fellow countrymen.

Recent misguided and empty statements of some country men and women of varied

classes of Ghanaian society without an iota of truth laced in there clearly defeat

the true meaning of freedom of speech. This nuisance which is gradually creeping

into the Ghanaian society with all the boldness should be nabbed in the bud, before

we are sank in our own sea of recklessness. Can we be a little cautious, civil and

responsible in our utterances?

At the turn of the millennium the Communication expert, Hugo de Beuo, stated

“Freedom of expression is all but very well, but for an opinion to be well grounded

you need, information, verifiable facts and contrasting views” Therefore,

statements made in respect to issues up for discussion, should require commentators

and contributors alike to satisfy these three instructive barometers. It is

unfortunate the rates at which these regrettable words that hoist the hate flag and

hurts sensibilities are spewed with pride, without any display of remorse.

Political parties, most often than not, prefer to opt for their communication team

members with a tongue larded with brute sense of language to various fora. These

Communicators, whether by accident or design defiantly trample on decorous

linguistic in such formal fora. As a people, we can deny, deceive and be a deception

to ourselves that all is well with the current state of affairs. The most

disastrous and bizarre of every human society is to create a weapon which turns to

destroy itself.

It is a widely accepted view that, in every human society the breath of life is

discourse. This definitely requests the use of palatable language which gives life

to discussions and refreshing breath to society. Could Social Commentators do the

apt opt in their art of word choosing?

The 1992 Constitution has enshrined in it general fundamental freedoms. Article 21

clause 1 (a) and (b) stipulates, “All persons shall have the right to, freedom of

speech and expression, which shall include freedom of the press and other media;

freedom of thought, conscience and belief, which shall include academic freedom”

These freedoms prescribed equally demands for level heads to display high sense of

responsibility, though not avidly stated. Thoughts which are aired without any

restrictions what so ever due to the grants in the constitution, but has the

propensity to polarize society, will amount to the wrong application of a right

instrument for illegal purpose. Therefore, one needs to be careful in exercising his

or her prescribed freedom which might infringe on the same of others.

Despite the press freedom which has been stipulated in the 1992 constitution in

article 162, it will be most unpardonable for the gatekeepers to wrongfully apply

this found freedom, and also present the dais for similar violations. Media houses

owe it a duty to the people of Ghana to restrain volcanic erupting language from

their panelist. Again, they should institute measures which will help them bar

vitriolic Commentators from appearing on their networks. This they should not

compromise. The agitations which went into prompting the last regime to repeal the

criminal libel law should not be treated with disdain.

We need to vehemently advertise and demonstrate the strident discontent, disregard

and adherence to the abuse of freedom of speech with the media leading the way.

Failure to banish this inflammatory utterances which has crept into our

communicative life, will amount to reducing the denomination of responsible language

not tenable in a civilised Ghanaian society in the near future.

The false facts that are fed to the Ghanaian population by Politicians who make wild

allegations which lack an iota of substance should not be permitted to thrive. If

this sticky attitude is not done away with it will soon shove political statements

into the bin without any serious perusal.

The true meaning of free speech should be sort in whatever form it may be found to

the best of our understanding in order to serve as a guide to both Politicians and

Civil Society. This will help stem the tide menace of this lurid communicative art.

As a people one thing we should learn is, he who the gods wish to destroy they first

make proud, and he who spit into the air dirties his own face. These same reckless,

irresponsible and empty pronouncements plunged Rwanda into one of the goriest

history of humanity after the holocaust.

Mistakes of the dead are example for the living.

Patrick Twumasi (0209045931)