Ghana’s media landscape has been a beacon of progress and freedom in West Africa, particularly since the 1992 constitution enshrined media freedom as a fundamental right.
Since then, the country has developed a vibrant media environment, with journalists actively involved exposing corruption, highlighting social issues, and demanding accountability by those in power.
However, beneath the surface lies a complex set of challenges that threaten journalistic integrity in Ghana, especially with the onset of the digital age.
New media
The proliferation of media, especially in the digital domain, has created a diverse but fragmented media environment.
According to the National Communications Authority (NCA), as of the fourth quarter of 2023, there were 125 authorized TV stations and 550 authorized FM broadcast stations.
This expansion not only changed the face of media in Ghana but also introduced new challenges such as the struggle for economic viability, political influence, and adherence to professional standards as the media push for the attention of the population.
The politicization of the media
Excessive politicization of the media, combined with commercial pressures, have raised concerns about the media’s ability to fulfill its expected responsibilities.
State newspapers, Daily Graphic and Ghanaian Times, still dominate the print media sector, while a growing number of political newspapers are making significant inroads.
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In broadcasting, private radio and television stations lead in audience share, but this also calls into question the balance of content and the potential for partisan reporting.
Falling standards?
The expansion of Ghana’s media landscape, while offering a variety of voices and perspectives, has also led to concerns about the accuracy and reliability of information disseminated to the public.
..from the 259 expert interviews in the (radio) broadcasts, only 30 were women representing 5.37%.
A study by Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism highlighted the ethical challenges in the Ghanaian media, noting that the rapid growth of the media has not always been accompanied by adherence to journalistic standards.
The survey pointed out that some journalists and newspapers have been criticized for unethical practices, such as failing maintaining objectivity, not crossing facts, and blurring the lines between fact and commentary.
The implications of these practices are far-reaching. Inaccuracies in media reports can undermine public trust, the distortion of democratic processes, and hinder national developmentt. The media’s role as a watchdog and platform for informed dialogue is compromised when facts are not thoroughly verified and when reporting is influenced by political beliefs.
While digital platforms offer new opportunities for content creation and dissemination, they also present challenges such as e.g unethical practices, misinformation and the need for digital literacy between journalists and the public.
Representation and Diversity
Ghana’s media landscape also suffers from a lack of diversity and representation, especially in radio.
A survey was conducted which involved daily viewing of four selected radio programs in Ghana during the third week of each month from February to May 2023.
In the study from the third week of February, in total 291 general interviews and 259 expert interviews were conducted and found that of the 259 broadcast expert interviews, only 30 were women representing 5.37%.
Blurred lines between Journalism and Influencer Marketing
The influencer marketing trend is slowly growing in the media industry with notable media personalities signing brand deals with companies.
Some of these endorsements may compromise the media personality’s credibility, integrity and independence as a journalist (if they are in that field). It can also mislead the public or consumers who may not be aware of the relationship between the media personality and the brand.
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According to Code of Ethics of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA)., media professionals should avoid any situation that may create a conflict of interest or jeopardize their independence and impartiality. They should also disclose any personal or financial interest that might influence their reporting or commentary.
However, the GJA Code of Ethics does not explicitly address the issue of influencer marketing and how it affects media professionals. This leaves a gap in the ethical guidance and regulation of this emerging phenomenon. Furthermore, the GJA Code of Ethics is not legally binding and relies on voluntary compliance and self-regulation by media professionals.
Digital media and sensuality
The legal and financial risks facing media companies have been exacerbated by the advent of digital media. While digital platforms offer new opportunities for content creation and dissemination, they also present challenges such as e.g unethical practices, misinformation and the need for digital literacy between journalists and the public.
In our article on sensationalism in the media space, we looked at the rise of monetization on some digital media platforms which has created a “mining” environment for impressions and engagement with the ultimate goal of generating income from content that sometimes tends to be “untruthful”. » and shocking.
What happens next?
The achievements of a free and dynamic media environment are undeniable, yet current challenges require a concerted effort to ensure ethical standards and promote a media ecosystem that serves the public interest without succumbing to political or commercial pressures.
It is imperative that all stakeholders, including government, media professionals and civil society, work together to address these issues and secure the future of media freedom and professionalism in Ghana.
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