Panelists identify causes of poor journalism

Panelists at the annual PAV Ansah Memorial Forum have identified low remuneration, short-term media training courses and the absence of passion for research as some of the factors responsible for the poor standard of journalism in the country.

They, therefore, called on journalists, media houses and training institutions to put in place the necessary measures to address the problems.

The speakers were the Managing Director of Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Mr Ken Ashigbey; the Catholic Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, the Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer Buckle; Associate Professor at the School of Communication Studies at the University of Ghana, Prof. Audrey Gadzekpo; the Public Relations Manager of Access Bank, Mrs Matilda Asante-Asiedu, and Founder of Clegg and Associates, Mr Robert Nii Arday Clegg.

The forum, organised by the Paul Ansah Memorial Foundation, also brought together high-ranking media practitioners including the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the GCGL, Dr Doris Yaa Dartey, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Mr Kwaku Addo Sakyi-Addo.

Professor Ansah died on June 14,1993 at the age of 55. He was one-time Director of the School of Communication Studies, University of Ghana.

The speakers eulogised the works of the late Prof. Ansah, describing him as man whose passion and excellence for journalism knew no boundaries.

According to Mr Ashigbey, the desire and intense passion which Prof. Ansah carried into his profession was what 'is needed in today's journalism'.

Most of the articles and stories filed by journalists today, he said, do not sustain the interest of readers, adding that employers must recruit people who had passion and love for the profession.

He also attributed the poor standard of journalism to the low remuneration given some journalists.

Archbishop Palmer-Buckle raised issues with the educational system in the country, saying that it had failed to plan for the future.

He said there was a time when people grew up having the passion for specific professions, but 'today people pursue courses with the aim of getting income.

Touching on responsible journalism, Prof. Gadzekpo said for the standard of journalism to be raised,  stakeholders in the media sector must together, find out challenges that hindered the profession.

She said most of the journalists and those opting for the profession 'come not because of the passion for the work', and asked 'how can you become a good journalist if you do not spend time to read and upgrade yourself?'

For her part, Mrs Asante-Asiedu attributed the poor standard of journalism to what she termed 'mushroom media and journalism training schools which allow people seeking jobs to join'.

Mr Clegg called for media houses to support their journalists to specialise, adding that specialisation would make them knowledgeable and thus empowered to write quality articles.

In her welcome address, Dr Dartey entreated journalists to regard their profession as a call to serve the nation and urged them to pursue their objectives with passion and excellence.

By Dominic Moses Awiah