IGP Dampare defends Police actions on fake news, stresses national security implications

The Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has emphasized that the police do not arbitrarily arrest individuals for spreading fake news.

Speaking at The Ghana Report Summit, Dampare clarified that police involvement is triggered only when the information being disseminated threatens national security.

“The police have not arrested anybody for fake news. What we are talking about is that there is a law that says if you go out and start putting things out that have the potency of bringing the security of the State into disrepute… we will deal with you,” he stated.

Dr. Dampare’s remarks came in response to comments made by Gayheart Mensah, a Communications Consultant, who argued that the police should not be arresting journalists for publishing fake news, as there are established institutions like the National Media Commission (NMC) tasked with handling such matters.

Mensah expressed concern over what he perceives as the security operators’ overreach, insisting that there are “processes and structures” in place for addressing fake news.

“I am talking about a process, and that process does not lie in security operators getting up at times without any complaint and arresting journalists,” he said.

During the summit, which focused on tackling misinformation and disinformation ahead of the 2024 elections, the IGP called for a collective effort to combat the spread of false information.

He urged the media to exercise their gatekeeping role more responsibly, ensuring that only verified news reaches the public.

“The media has a role to play; use your gatekeeper role to check what goes out,” Dr. Dampare advised.

He also stressed the importance of public vigilance and a proactive approach from institutions in providing authentic information to counteract the effects of fake news.