Browsing by Author "Boateng, Rita Agyenim"

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    Abuse of freedom of speech and expression through the electronic media: a case study of the Montie three.
    (KNUST, 2019-10) Boateng, Rita Agyenim
    Free speech is good and everyone is in favour of it. It is a strong tool because it provides a big platform for rights and freedoms to thrive but it has dangers. Human dignity should be essential; therefore, we need to reinforce each other according to its own strength. Abuse of freedom of speech and expression pulls valuable words out of the market place of ideas and lessens the value of discourse in nation building. In this study,I advocate measures against abuse because I cherish free speech. Many countries like Rwanda, South Africa, Bosnia Herzegovinian, Israel (Jews) have had their fair share of a shattered country because of Hate/abuse of freedom of speech. Ghana although not there yet, its media and affiliate bodies like the NMC, NCA and GJA need to put their strength together and enforce their rules and regulations in order to deal with anyimpending trouble. We need a save and peaceful Ghana for development. This study adopted an interdisciplinary approach as well as doctrinal to find out why freedom of speech and expression is being abused in spite of the constitutional limitations provided. Aptly, the study explicitly finds out people’s perception about abuse of freedom of speech through the electronic media, and people’s knowledge of the law in respect of the limitations on free speech/ expression, and the boundaries within which it operates. The data was collected in Kumasi to represent Ghana and the findings used to generalize. The research revealed that most Ghanaians know the law that guide freedom of speech/expression and media practice but they see it as an expression of their constitutional right. They abuse because their understanding of freedom knows no limit. It was revealed that the parent law should be reviewed for stiffer sanctions against those who abuse this fundamental human right.