Omanghana
The Cyber Security Authority has called on journalists, broadcasters and digital content creators to balance the public’s right to information with the need to protect personal privacy, public safety and Ghana’s digital infrastructure.
The Authority warned that careless reporting on cyber incidents could expose victims to further harm, compromise investigations or provide criminals with information that could be used to launch additional attacks.
The call formed part of media training and engagement programs, including the National Community Media Cyber Capability Building Project.
The project was developed to improve cybersecurity reporting standards and equip community media professionals with the practical knowledge required to explain digital threats accurately.
Avoid Disclosures That Could Enable Attacks
The CSA acknowledged the media’s responsibility to inform the public about online fraud, data breaches, cyberattacks and vulnerabilities affecting digital services.
It cautioned, however, that reports should not publish technical details that reveal how an uncorrected vulnerability can be exploited.
Disclosing system weaknesses before affected institutions have installed security patches could provide criminals with an operational guide for attacking the same platform or targeting similar systems.
Journalists were therefore encouraged to assess whether every technical detail is necessary for the public to understand a story and to seek expert guidance before releasing sensitive information.
Responsible reporting should alert citizens to danger without increasing the likelihood of another attack.
Protect Victims and Children
Media professionals were also urged to protect the identities and personal information of cybercrime victims.
Reports should not expose passwords, identification numbers, banking details, private communications or other sensitive information that could lead to identity theft, financial loss, harassment or further victimization.
Extra care is required when reporting cases involving children. Publishing names, images, school details or other identifying information could expose minors to cyberbullying, sexual exploitation or sustained online abuse.
The CSA stressed that the pursuit of public interest must not override the dignity and safety of victims.
Verify Digital Content Before Publication
The growing availability of artificial intelligence tools has made it easier to create convincing fake images, audio recordings and videos.
Journalists and digital communicators were advised to verify the authenticity, source and context of online material before sharing it with the public.
This includes checking whether images have been manipulated, determining when and where a video was originally recorded and seeking independent confirmation before attributing an online statement to an individual or institution.
Synthetic media and deepfakes can be used to damage reputations, spread political disinformation, facilitate financial fraud or create panic.
Newsrooms were encouraged to strengthen their fact-checking procedures and ensure that the pressure to publish quickly does not compromise accuracy.
Preserve Evidence of Cybercrime
The Authority also highlighted the importance of preserving original digital evidence.
Screenshots may be useful for reporting, but they do not always contain the complete technical information needed for an investigation. Original emails, message headers, links, files, transaction records and device metadata may help investigators establish the source and sequence of an incident.
Journalists who receive suspected evidence of cybercrime should avoid altering, deleting or repeatedly forwarding the material in ways that could compromise its integrity.
Where appropriate, evidence should be securely submitted to the relevant authorities while protecting confidential sources and observing professional journalistic obligations.
Media Encouraged to Promote Digital Safety
Beyond reporting incidents, the CSA wants media organizations to serve as a bridge between cybersecurity experts and the public.
Technical advisories should be translated into clear and practical guidance that ordinary citizens can apply.
Recommended safety practices include creating strong and unique passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, refusing to disclose mobile money or banking PINs and verifying unexpected payment requests through a separate communication channel.
Members of the public should also avoid opening suspicious links or downloading files from unknown sources.
Cyber incidents can be reported to the CSA by calling or sending an SMS to 292. Reports may also be submitted by email to report@csa.gov.gh, through WhatsApp on 050 160 3111, through the CSA Ghana mobile application or via the Authority’s online incident-reporting form.
Project Targets Community Media Practitioners
The National Community Media Cyber Capability Building Project is being implemented by the Africa Center for Digital Transformation in partnership with the Cyber Security Authority, with support from the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ghana under its Transformation Cooperation Program.
It targets journalists, editors, broadcasters, bloggers and other community-based communicators.
The program seeks to strengthen their ability to report accurately on cybercrime, combat misinformation and disinformation, promote child online protection and raise awareness about threats to critical information infrastructure.
Through the initiative, the CSA hopes to position the media as a strategic partner in building a safer and more resilient digital Ghana.
Source: Omanghana
