At a time when social media is shaping conversations faster than ever, Senior Counsel Joyce Bawah Mogtari is calling on digital content creators to anchor their work in discipline, responsibility, and strong ethical values regardless of how they entered the space.
Speaking at the maiden Digital Media Creators Networking and Capacity Building Conference organised by The1957News, the Presidential Adviser and Special Aide to John Dramani Mahama delivered a message that resonated deeply with both emerging and established creators.
Addressing the audience in a warm but firm tone, Joyce Bawah acknowledged the changing nature of the media landscape. She pointed out that the traditional pathways into journalism are no longer the only route to success. Today, creativity, innovation, and consistency can open doors just as widely as formal education.
Still, she cautioned that freedom without responsibility can be dangerous.
“Be mindful of what you share,” she urged, reminding participants that a single post can have lasting consequences. In a space where content spreads rapidly, she stressed that creators must understand the weight of their influence and the potential harm that irresponsible storytelling can cause to individuals and communities alike.
Her message was clear: ethics must not be optional.
On the question of regulation, Joyce Bawah leaned towards a more introspective approach. Rather than calling for heavy external control, she encouraged creators to hold themselves accountable. According to her, self-regulation remains the most practical and effective path for now.
She explained that credibility is the real currency in the digital age something that cannot be bought, but must be earned through consistent, responsible work. With trust, she noted, comes opportunity.
Beyond ethics, she also touched on growth and sustainability. She advised creators to move beyond treating their platforms as casual ventures and instead begin to formalise their work.
Register your platforms. Build teams. Create structures.
In her view, this is how small digital initiatives can evolve into powerful, respected media organisations capable of competing on a global stage.
Then came a moment that sparked both excitement and reflection in the room.
“Don’t be surprised if one day international outlets reference your work,” she said.
It was more than just encouragement it was a reminder of what is possible when passion meets discipline.
For many in attendance, the conference was not just about networking or learning new skills. It became a moment of clarity a call to build, to grow, and above all, to create responsibly in a digital world that is always watching.
Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of The Accra Daily Mail, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
