Truth in the Time of COVID: Dissecting Ghana's Information Ecosystem through Herman and Chomsky's Lens

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the media played a vital role in transmitting truthful information alongside misguiding false messages. Research evaluates media coverage effects on public discussions throughout Ghana after the government struggled against the spread of fake information about pandemic treatments and vaccines and their origins. According to Herman and Chomsky's propaganda model, this study evaluates how media institutions backing the government ended up promoting official statements through their platforms though independent outlets and social media channels became place where authentic reporting occurred alongside dangerous misinformation.

Media framing shows direct influence over how people trusted health authorities and followed their health-demanding protocols. The official media platforms, which were associated with government, promoted public safety guidelines simultaneously as social media networks disseminated false information that weakened people's compliance with protection measures. The research establishes the requirement to evaluate how media representations combine with state communication and public awareness in crises, which turn life-threatening misinformation into a problem. This research reveals the challenges in deceptive media influences, which fills gaps in crisis communication literature to benefit policymakers together with journalists. The authors suggest enhancing fact-checking programs while teaching people to better understand media information and requiring public health officials to clearly communicate their messages. The research confirms that free media in democracies plays an essential role because it enables journalists to monitor authorities while blocking false information.

The study makes an important global contribution to emergency health media analysis by demonstrating why accuracy should replace sensationalism in the media landscape. Ghana’s experience provides worthwhile lessons, which should guide other nations fighting pandemic-related misinformation during this age of wide-ranging incorrect information spreading freely.

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