By Rachel Kakraba
GJA President Roland Affail Monney, says excessive use of proverbs and jokes in content on media programming, especially news is problematic. He noted such is a breach of ethical principles and encouraged the media to promote civility in public discourse. Mr. Monney asked media practitioners to tone down their stance on political issues and remain independent and objective on all issues.
“Furthermore, the GJA wants the media to promote civility in public discourse and champion healthy debates of national issues, bearing in mind that debates are the lifeblood of liberal democracy such as ours. In the process, the media should tone down their partisan slant and blatant spin and tone up their independent streak and objective bent. This approach will help meet an ethical imperative of feeding the public with free, fair, balanced and comprehensive information with which they will make reasoned decisions”
Mr. Monney was speaking at the start of a Media Capacity Enhancement Programme in Kumasi.
He said the programme marks a turning point in journalism practice in Ghana and emphasized the need to improve the working conditions of journalists, especially salary issues which has been worsened by covid 19.
“It goes without saying the Media Capacity Enhancement Programme, presents an iconic turning point in journalism practice in Ghana. In a wider context, the GJA proposes that this programme be executed in tandem with pragmatic steps to improve the working conditions of journalists. Dwindling revenue stream and swingering expenditure cuts, induced by Covid, have conspired to make an already bad situation worse, for the majority of the media houses and their workers”
The GJA President said it is regrettable professional standards in the media have waned, a reason the capacity programme is critical, as it will sharpen the analytical and creativity of journalists. He noted that training and retraining of journalists ensures professional standards are maintained.
“It is trite knowledge that the Enhancement Programme is happening at a time when confidence in the media is on the wane, and perpetration of mediocrity, on the rise. In terms of professional standards, many journalists are stuffed to the gills, others are rotten to the core. While some display innovative spark and distinctive qualities, many operate in stagnant pools which reflect hackneyed styles and immanent output. The finest opportunity, therefore, beckons to move the paradigm and change the narrative of journalism practice in Ghana. More specifically, the training series is expected to sharpen the reportorial flair, editorial craftsmanship, analytical power, and creative thinking of the participants so that they will not only operate to make a living, they will also be living to make a difference”.
The maiden National Media Capacity Enhancement Programme which began in Kumasi on Monday 10th January 2022, is designed to provide scholarships to some 250 journalists to be trained annually.
It is expected to contribute to deepening media professionalism nationwide. It forms part of collaborative efforts by stakeholders in the media industry, spearheaded by the Ministry of Information and the Ghana Journalists Association, to support the media sector which has been challenged in recent times.
The curriculum and faculty were agreed upon by an independent working group of experts led by Rector of the Ghana Institute of Journalism Professor Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo.
