Role of the Media in Africa’s Democratization Quest: A Case Study of Ghana

DENNIS MOOT
Ohio University, Athens, USA

Abstract
In most African states, political openness and tolerance is measured by the non-existence of government censorship, and also the ability of the media to operate without fear. In agreement with the debate posited by Wasserman (2013) including other scholars suggests that the media is capable of building democratic structures as it provides a platform for continuous discussion, communication and dialogue amongst various stakeholders within the state. The objectives of this paper is to assess the disadvantages of sensationalism in the media on the democratic development of Ghana.

Keywords: Ghana’s media, democracy, sensationalism, development, Ghana politics

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Dennis Moot is a graduate assistant at the Centre for International Studies at Ohio University and the Vice President of the African Students Union.