First, they came with insults…

“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out… Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.” These timeless words by Martin Niemöller remind us that silence in the face of wrongdoing often comes at a heavy price.

In Ghana today, we may not be witnessing political persecution in the same form, but we are quietly normalising another dangerous culture: the culture of insults, abuse, humiliation, and verbal violence on our media platforms.

What once shocked the nation has now become entertainment.

Television and radio programmes now compete over who can produce the most controversial exchange. The louder the insult, the higher the ratings. The more abusive the guest, the more viral the clips become. Instead of condemning this conduct, many viewers cheer it on, share it, and celebrate those who dish out the harshest words.

Political programmes led the charge. Rather than discussing policies, manifestos, governance, and ideology, many platforms have turned into arenas where political parties field professional insulters instead of persuasive communicators. Internal party primaries have become just as toxic, with personal attacks replacing meaningful debate.

Sadly, the disease has spread.

Counselling programmes that should restore broken relationships now publicly ridicule and shame guests who appear seeking guidance. Sports programmes have become platforms where Ghana’s thirty-five million self-appointed coaches vent anger and hurl abuse at the national teams, coaches, administrators, and anyone associated with them.

Even religious broadcasting has not been spared. Prophets attack prophets. Pastors attack pastors. Apostles attack apostles. Messages that should inspire hope increasingly become opportunities to settle personal scores before a national audience.

Entertainment programmes have also joined the trend. Instead of reviewing creative works, promoting talent, and celebrating achievement, discussions are increasingly reduced to personal attacks, mockery, and degrading comments designed solely to trend on social media.

How did we get here?

It began gradually. At first, such programmes were described as “hot shows.” Producers and station owners celebrated the attention they generated. Ratings went up. Social media engagement exploded. The victims of these attacks hardly mattered. What mattered was talkability.

Some producers reportedly go as far as encouraging guests behind the scenes to provoke one another, because conflict attracts audiences.

Yet there is an irony. When some of these same station owners, producers, presenters, or their associates become targets of abuse elsewhere, they suddenly become uncomfortable. Those incidents rarely receive the same enthusiastic coverage on their own platforms. Silence replaces sensationalism.

If abuse is entertaining only when someone else is the victim, then we have abandoned principle for profit.

But must this continue? I believe the answer is no.

As a nation, we must begin to call out those who profit from promoting verbal violence. Regulators cannot continue to watch from the sidelines while standards continue to decline. Media houses must remember that they are not merely businesses—they are institutions that shape national values and public discourse.

Today it is insults. Tomorrow it could be physical confrontations inside studios. The day after, it could be violence spilling onto our streets.

One reckless statement from a toxic pundit could inflame political tensions, deepen tribal divisions, provoke religious conflict, or trigger unnecessary hostility between groups.

History teaches us that dangerous cultures rarely begin with violence. They begin with words that society chooses to tolerate.

If we remain silent today because we are not the targets, tomorrow there may be no one left to speak when the poison reaches us.

Let us not wait until regret becomes our national response.

Let us speak out now. Let us demand civility. Let us restore dignity to Ghana’s airwaves before insults become the language of our society.

 

— Socrate Safo Speaks

 

EDITOR’S NOTE: The author, Socrate Safo is a Ghanaian Film Director and culture advocate. He worked as a Creative Arts director at the National Commission on Culture