Archbishop Charles Agyinasare has called on Ghanaian journalists, broadcasters, bloggers, content creators and social media commentators to use their platforms responsibly, urging them to ensure that their communication informs, educates and entertains rather than insults, humiliates or degrades others.
He said journalism and public communication come with a significant responsibility because media practitioners and other communicators have the power to shape public conversations and influence how people perceive and relate to one another.
The Archbishop made the call in a sermon delivered on Sunday, September 4, 2026, on the theme of responsible speech. He cautioned against the increasing use of insults, ridicule, threats and unverified information in public discourse, particularly on social media.
According to him, although journalism has traditionally been guided by the principles of informing, educating and entertaining the public, the growing reach and influence of social media have made responsible communication more critical than ever.
He challenged media practitioners and online communicators to regularly assess the effect of their words before publishing or broadcasting their content. “Am I informing—or inflaming? Am I educating—or humiliating? Am I entertaining—or degrading?” he asked, urging journalists, broadcasters, bloggers, content creators and social media commentators to consider these questions in the course of their work.
Archbishop Agyinasare also stressed the importance of fact-checking and verification before information is shared with the public, especially at a time when allegations and claims can spread rapidly across social media platforms.
“Have I verified this—or am I merely repeating it?” he asked, warning communicators against becoming channels for the dissemination of information that has not been established as factual. He further urged media practitioners to distinguish between legitimate criticism and personal attacks, saying public discussion should focus on issues rather than seek to undermine the dignity of individuals. “Am I criticising the issue—or attacking human dignity with insults?” he asked.
The Archbishop noted that disagreement should never be used as a justification for disrespect or dehumanisation. He said people could condemn wrongdoing and hold others accountable without resorting to insults or attacks on their personal dignity. He also pointed to the greater responsibility that comes with having a large audience, stressing that the potential impact of a communicator’s words increases with the number of people who receive them.
“A person speaking to ten people must watch his words. A person speaking to ten thousand must watch them even more carefully. And someone whose words can reach millions must understand that a microphone magnifies both wisdom and foolishness,” he said. Archbishop Agyinasare also cautioned political leaders and other influential personalities against normalising insults, saying their conduct could shape the tone of national conversation.
“When leaders normalise insults, supporters may imitate them. When leaders demonstrate restraint, disagreement can remain vigorous without becoming dehumanising,” he said. He encouraged journalists and other public communicators to use their platforms to promote truth, dignity and constructive public discussion.
The Archbishop emphasised that responsible communication did not mean avoiding strong criticism or becoming timid. Rather, he said people could be firm and passionate without becoming abusive.
“You can expose corruption without undermining people’s humanity. You can oppose an idea without attacking the person who holds it. You can criticize a leader without threatening them,” he said. He urged the public to think carefully before speaking, posting, forwarding, or responding in anger, and to consider whether their words are true, necessary, gracious, and constructive.
“Before you forward—verify. Before you post in anger—pause,” he advised. Quoting Proverbs 18:21, which states, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue,” Archbishop Agyinasare emphasized that words can either damage people and relationships or restore hope and dignity.
He concluded by calling for a change in the language used in homes, churches, politics, traditional and mainstream media, and on social media. “We can disagree without disrespect. We can criticise without contempt. We can correct without cruelty. We can speak the truth without abandoning grace,” he stated.
