The head of the communications department at the University of Ghana, Dr. Abena Aniniwaa Yeboah Banin, has entreated media houses and journalists in Ghana to be circumspect in their reportage.
This comment comes at the back of the commemoration of the 2023 World Radio Day.
Speaking on Campus Exclusive, Dr. Yebaoh Banin explained the power of radio and how it can be used as a tool for positive change or destruction depending on the motives of the individual who have access to it.
“In public discussion, radio can be used to engineer opinions and standpoints and for that matter, whosoever has access to radio has to some advantage to engineer public opinions and actions in a direction that favors them. So Journalists need to be circumspect in their reportage”.
She also underscored the power of radio and the media in general.
” It is potentially problematic to ignore the power that radio has. When we are talking about the peace of Ghana, the peace of the university of Ghana, and the peace of the world.”
She also bemoaned the existence of religious and politically motivated radio stations which are sidelining conversations of public interest and hindering development.
“it is worrying to see the number of politically exposed people who own media in the country, these days religious people own a greater stream of the media, so you turn on the radio and television, you either watch politics and religious context. The real discourse of development has been sidelined, and on the off chance that forces those issues to the fore, all we do is be political on our radio platforms. “
Dr. Abena Yeboah Aniniwaa Banini urged the regulators to review the criteria for awarding the license of operations of radio stations.
“Perhaps we have given licenses to people and entities that should not be given those licenses, perhaps the criteria we used in awarding these licenses have turned into criteria that do not necessarily look forward in the future and think where do we want to take democracy too and does it radio in the hand of the politician to take us there.
Radio continues to be the most popular media worldwide. Radio has a special capacity to reach the largest audience, which allows it to influence how diversity is experienced in society and serve as a platform for all perspectives to be heard.
.On World Radio Day 2023, UNESCO highlights independent radio as a pillar for conflict prevention and peacebuilding.
The theme for the 12th edition of World Radio Day celebrated on 13th February 2023, is “Radio and Peace.”
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Story by Cindy Selasi Humade | univers.ug.edu.gh
