Politicians and the media: who is using who?

The leaders of the National Democratic Congress are angry the media is in bed with the ruling government. The former Minister of Communications, Ekow Spio Garbrah is quoted in the Chronicle as saying “…media personnel had compromised their role in society and become the voice of the government, instead of the people.”

That for me sounds like the cry of a new naive politician, but, Mr Spio is undoubtedly no novice and I think he ought to know better. Politicians are users and always out to look for allies. The present government and that of the NDC, and governments past, have used the media. The only difference I see is in their approach.

NDC used the media. They party coerced and used fear as its tool to get the media do its bidding.
The NPP is wiser; they got the media by satisfying the basic instincts of the men and women who run it: recognition, power and money. They gave the media recognition, made them their friends and doled the cash to all those who will take it. Top that up with frequent travels with the President and you have a media that is lapping and licking the boots of those who can make and unmake them.

Much as the present media system has its own challenges that must be addressed objectively, the noise by politicians is a desperate one for attention. The lesson to be learnt by politicians is that it is easier to make and keep friends; they always come in handy when you are in trouble.

Besides if politicians think they are using the media, I think they should look again, the media might also be using them in their own ways.