The University of Ghana’s Department of Communication Studies has launched a report on “The State of the Ghanaian Media” as part of the celebrations of its 50th anniversary.
The report was presented at the Centre for Biodiversity Research on April 19, 2023, and was attended by several notable figures, including Prof. Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, the Provost of the College of Education at the University of Ghana and Director General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Prof. Amin Alhassan.
The report was presented by Prof. Audrey Gadzekpo, the former Head of the Department of Communication at the University of Ghana. She said the report highlights the importance of examining the problems and prospects of the media in fulfilling their normative roles and functions as a key pillar of democracy.
“The Report thus picks up the unfinished business of almost three decades ago by examining the problems and prospects of the media to inform both theoretical understandings and practice on how well they can play their normative roles and functions as one of the key pillars of democracy. The empirical data informing all the assessments were obtained through qualitative, quantitative or mixed-method approaches.”
During the presentation, Prof. Audrey Gadzekpo expressed her hope that the State of the Media report will be used as a useful resource for decision-making. With its comprehensive analysis of the state of media in Ghana, the report provides valuable insights on key indicators such as professionalism, financial viability, conditions of service, the safety of journalists, training and capacity building, and ownership.
“This State of the Media report confirms the centrality of media and the practice of journalism in promoting the public interest in the furtherance of democratic development. Collectively the seven articles contained in the report provide evidence of the role of the media in Ghana’s development and the state of affairs regarding key media indicators such as professionalism, financial viability, conditions of service, the safety of journalists, training and capacity building, and ownership.”
Dr Abena Animwaa Yeboah-Banin, the Head of the Department of Communication Studies said it imperative that the media sheds light on its own work and analyse the challenges that come with it
“Often the media is busy talking about everyone else’s business. Now is the time to focus our cameras on us. Let us talk about the media. In Ghana, it is time for us to set the agenda on the media to inspire much-needed reforms in the media.”
Director General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Prof. Amin Alhassan praised the Department of Communication Studies for its contributions to the development of the Ghanaian media industry and called on all stakeholders to work together to promote media freedom and ensure that the public has access to accurate and reliable information.
In her remarks, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Accra, Nicole Ann Chulick, emphasized the importance of press freedom in promoting democracy and good governance. She commended the University of Ghana’s Department of Communication Studies for its role in training the next generation of media professionals and promoting excellence in journalism.
The State of the Ghanaian Media report focuses on the challenges facing the Ghanaian media and highlighted the need for more investment in the industry to ensure its sustainability. It also called for greater collaboration between media organizations, civil society, and the government to promote media freedom and ensure that the public can access accurate and reliable information.
The event was organized with the University of Ghana’s College of Education, the US Embassy in Ghana, Joy News, and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).
The 101-paged report highlights key findings on Financial Viability of Media, Working Conditions in the Ghanaian Media, Media Ownership and Regulation, Safety of Journalists, Media and National Development, Professional Practice and Training and Capacity Building. (2/2)#UGIS75 pic.twitter.com/liPtdqPz4T
— University of Ghana (@UnivofGh) April 20, 2023
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Story by ; Gideon Nicholas Day | univers.ug.edu.gh
