By Peter Martey AGBEKO, (APR)
In Ghana, journalism holds a unique position as both the guardian of democracy and the voice of the people.
From the days of Kwame Nkrumah’s struggle for independence to the present era of a maturing democracy, the media has been a powerful tool in shaping national discourse.
However, despite this rich history, the current state of journalism in Ghana presents a mix of triumphs and challenges that must be addressed for the profession to thrive in a fast-evolving global landscape.
The Current State of Journalism in Ghana
Ghanaian journalism today faces significant hurdles. One major issue is the pervasive problem of sensationalism. The race to break news first has often led to half-baked stories that lack proper fact-checking, further eroding public trust.
Sensational headlines, often at the expense of accuracy, have become a common tactic used by media outlets to capture attention in an increasingly competitive environment. This trend is not only damaging the credibility of journalism but also leading to the spread of misinformation and disinformation.
Another critical issue is the political polarisation within the media. Many media outlets are either explicitly aligned with political parties or subtly influenced by political interests.
This undermines objectivity and fosters a perception of bias, limiting the ability of the media to serve as an impartial watchdog. The public’s trust in journalism has eroded as a result, with many citizens unsure whether to believe what they read or hear.
Moreover, the economic realities of running media houses often force journalists to operate under less-than-ideal conditions. With limited resources and inadequate remuneration, many journalists are unable to pursue thorough investigative reporting, opting instead for quick, less impactful stories. This lack of investment in journalistic capacity has further contributed to a decline in the overall quality of news production.
GJA’s Role and the Path to Improvement
As the umbrella body for journalists in the country, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) is well-positioned to lead efforts to elevate standards and address the current challenges. However, for the GJA to be effective in its mission, it must consider several key actions:
Promoting Media Literacy and Ethical Training
Journalists must be equipped with the knowledge and skills to navigate the ethical dilemmas that often arise in their work. The GJA should collaborate with academic institutions and media organisations to develop robust training programs focused on ethics, fact-checking, and investigative journalism. Media literacy campaigns targeting the public can also help citizens critically assess the quality of news they consume.
Establishing Stronger Regulatory Frameworks
While press freedom is essential, there is also a need for stronger regulatory frameworks to ensure that journalists adhere to professional standards. The GJA should work closely with relevant stakeholders, including the National Media Commission (NMC) and media owners, to enforce the GJA code of ethics published in 2017, that holds journalists accountable for their work. This should be paired with a transparent system for addressing ethical violations and rewarding excellence in journalism. (The Annual GJA Media Awards event serves as a motivator).
Fostering Financial Independence
The media’s financial vulnerability often leads to undue influence from politicians, businesses, and other interest groups. The GJA can explore initiatives that foster financial independence for media outlets, such as advocating for government support in the form of grants, tax incentives, or low-interest loans specifically targeted at independent news organisations. This can also extend to creating a fund that supports investigative journalism projects.
Encouraging Investigative Journalism
Investigative journalism is critical in uncovering corruption, human rights abuses, and societal issues that otherwise remain hidden. The GJA should establish awards, grants, and fellowship programs to incentivise journalists to engage in long-form, in-depth reporting. This can also involve partnerships.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is clear that the GJA holds a crucial role in advancing journalistic standards and practices across the country. However, achieving this goal will require collaboration and support from a broad range of stakeholders, including the government, businesses, academia, regulatory institutions, traditional authorities, and the general public.
Only through an inclusive and participatory approach can we ensure the desired positive outcomes in strengthening journalism and enhancing its impact on national development.
