Building A Society Of Insolence?

A society of insolence is no safe place for anyone. Indeed insolence remains a threat to our societal values, image and our very peace as a country. The issue of insolence spans from recklessness on our roads to insults and character assassinations. However, I am of the view that the situation can be curtailed to a large extent. In my candid opinion, institutions are supposed to be the foundation blocks for sanity in our society. This can be done when institutions such as the Police Service, Media Commission and the media among others put their houses in order and are doing their work at best some level of sanity is instilled into the society. As no society is immune to deviants and outliers, institutions portraying ideal societal values remain the only hope to society as they in turn shape individuals and society at large.

Our airways, primarily the radio and TV stations are increasingly becoming nuisance to many well meaning Ghanaians. These days insults, aspersions and squabbles have become so common on the airways. To make things worse, objectivity has totally given way to highly polarize political perspective to every issue. Initially, these were to a large extent limited to a few media outlets. Tuning in to such stations, with a clear knowledge of what one will hear, become a matter of choice and less mind boggling. However, the phenomenon of insolence and insult has gradually sidled into the entire media landscape. This has reached a height that listening to newspaper reviews and panel discussions can be so unbearable. Surely one must count himself fortunate if one is so busy and does not have time to listen to such discussions.

My fret is the rate at which sections of Ghanaians particularly politicians speak recklessly and how this unfortunate menace is being adored by some media houses. The later to me is unfathomable. An advert for a popular Metro TV programme “good morning, Ghana” triggered this article. In this particular commercial, we see a cross section of political leaders making offensive and unpalatable remarks that I wouldn’t repeat here. Even though our leaders must watch their utterances, my beef here is not these individuals but Metro TV, which sets out to showcase this for a commercial instead of the many well meaning discussions on this programme. Probably, management has not paid a close attention to this commercial. If they have, is that what Metro TV wants to be associated with? Is this what we want young men and women to learn? Is that the ideal value we want to depict as Ghanaians?

One may also ask, is that what is marketable? And draw listeners to the programme? Probably Yes. However, institutions must begin to evaluate the negative cost of their actions to the immediate gains that may be derived. Coming to reality, many discerning Ghanaians prefer otherwise.

Some host attempt to curb unpleasant language on the airways only to end up using the same unsavory language they abhor as sound bites promoting their programmes. What rhetoric and hypocrisy? Do we really want the ideal or merely proclaim the ideal?

As known, the media have been cited in countless instances for instigating violence and bloodshed in many countries. The genocide in Rwanda for example, quickly comes to mind. In Ghana, while the role of the media in maintaining the relative peace we have been enjoying over the years cannot be underestimated, the time bomb it presents cannot be overlooked either. There is a certain myth that we must break away from before we begin to laugh at the wrong side of our mouths. This myth is a general assertion that Ghanaians are peace loving people and would not engage in violence and bloodshed. As we are drawing closer to another landmark election in 2012, individuals, political parties and the media in particular should set standards for themselves. The media should not allow any individual or political party to coax them into plunging the nation into chaos. Politian’s who are not prepared to be civil and continue in open insults should be given matching off orders during programmes without fear or favour.
Remember this is our only Ghana. If we want peace then we must desire peace, speak peace and act peace. LONG LIVE GHANA.

EMMANUEL KWASI MAWUENA
GLOBAL EVANGELICAL CHURCH
TESANO
[email protected]