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24.11.2011 Feature Article

Re: Even when a Goat is a Cow…

Re: Even when a Goat is a Cow
24.11.2011 LISTEN

I refer to the publication   on the above subject,  which appeared in the    Tuesday, November 1, 2011 edition of the 'The Chronicle,' in which the author, Ebo Quansah, a supposed seasoned journalist, decided to pursue an agenda of personal attack, instead of defending the tenets of the Journalism profession.

In the said publication, he did not only showcase how limply he could misrepresent statements of facts, but also his failure to appreciate constructive criticisms. His presentation was so subjective that it portrayed the political lenses with which he reviewed my criticism of the bad nuts in the profession.

Mr. Quansah, remember your guiding principle in journalism, which goes like this: 'When you are sent to cover Jesus Christ and Satan arrives instead, the latter event is an even bigger news item.'

That was how you quoted the late Mr. Sam Arthur, doyen of journalism training in Ghana as saying. You said that was the first day you sat in the journalism classroom in the 1970s. Mr. Ouansah, you admit that this principle has forever defined news to you. You should have known that Mr. Arthur employed that didactic analogy for the uninitiated to appreciate what news is. Sure, as a young student journalist, you might have also learnt under the feet of Mr. Sam Arthur that 'when a dog bites a man, it is no news, but when a man bites a dog, it is news.' These two ways of defining news is basic in almost every first week in a journalism class.

I have no problem with you holding on forever to Jesus-Satan who makes bigger news. You are an individual whose news values are determined by many experiences, not excluding your opaque political lenses through which you should not left off the hook some of your misguided conclusions. In any case, did Mr. Arthur also teach you to lie that Satan came to Jesus' function, when indeed, Satan did not?

With your long experience in journalism, you should have read and practice new developments in journalism.

Mr. Quansah, I have decided not to delve into most of the distractive issues you raised in your piece, because they are unproductive. I am, therefore, not addressing them. I would not say I am treating them with the contempt they deserve. I'm being civil and respectful of a senior colleague.

But if I may ask; why are journalists of your kind running down a government and its ministers, simply because you do not share the same political view with the ruling party?

With your age and experience, Mr. Quansah, you know how important the media and journalists are. Over 25 years, or so, some drastic developments have taken place on the media scene; a significant one is the coming into being of alternative media. They are driven by alternative values, and not mainstream values.

Mr. Quansah, you know also how important the media are as a double-edged sword for either good or bad. In a developing country, where poverty and under development are so pervasive, what kind of media do we need to correct the distortions and imbalances in development?

I have praised journalists for the positive developments they have helped to bring about in various aspects of our national life. May I state that in all of my professional and ministerial duties, I have always given credit where it is due and also proffered criticisms as and when the need arises? I have on several occasions applauded the media in their role at enriching Ghana's democratic credentials. Not too long ago, I delivered a speech during the opening ceremony of COMED's regional tool kit pre-validation workshop, held on 26th September, 2011 at GIMPA, where I indicated among other things that 'the media have, and continue to play crucial roles in consolidating Ghana's democratic gains.' This is because the vibrant media platform in Ghana serves as the conduit for reviewing governments' performances in all key sectors of the economy. Furthermore, the Ghanaian media provide the lenses with which to dissect government programmes and polices. Interestingly, the media today, set the agenda for the dispassionate discussion of issues that affect the well-being of the people. Moreover, the media in Ghana have transcended from merely reporting issues, to that of providing policy alternatives, all of which enrich the crafting and implementation of programmes and polices.

Is it not strange that when I made these positive statements about the Ghanaian media, Uncle Ebo Quansah could not wink an eye to read them, but could only do so as comments he considers unpalatable to journalists? I can understand him, because there are people who criticise everything, but would rage and roar at those who attempt to point out the ills of such people. For me, this is unfortunate, and progressive-minded individuals must BE BOLD enough to expose the rot in any segment of society without fear of being intimidated. As a responsible journalist, I would be the last to cover up the filth within my own profession, whilst exposing the ills of the larger society. To take that position is an act of hypocrisy, which I know Mr. Quansah wouldn't want to be so tagged.

Indeed, I have every right to point out when things are going wrong. I am not the only one who has spoken about the shortcomings of sections of the media.

Media watchers, ordinary people, think tanks and media practitioners themselves are some of the critics of the media for the lapses and excesses of late. Is it not a statement of fact that the Ghanaian media landscape is heavily being criticised in recent times? And if it is so, what is wrong for me to assert that, 'it is a shame how the media landscape has become. If you look at the kind of criticism the media are receiving today, we are inflicting all these pain on ourselves. I wonder the kind of future we are creating for the next generation.'

As one of the experienced journalists in Ghana, would you say all is well with the current practice of journalism in the country? What about concerns raised by my mentor, Ambassador Kabral Blay Amihere, Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), Mr. Ransford Tetteh, President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and my classmate at the Ghana Institute of Journalism in the late 1970s, the West Africa Media Foundation and some prominent traditional rulers?

My commitment towards media freedom and its development in Ghana has a long history, and I very well appreciate Mr. Quansah's admission that I spent 'several years helping to shape the Ghana News Agency.' However, I wonder why he would, for once, imagine that I would now act in dissonance to very journalistic principles which have informed my works all over the years.

And as if to give a dog a bad name and hang it, Mr. Quansah singled out what he calls my outburst, and decides to distance himself from the very rot within the media landscape, and instead exudes so much contradictions, making one wonder which line of journalistic codes he prefers to uphold…OBJECTIVE, TRUTH, FAIRNESS or SUBJECTIVITY, LIES AND IRRESPONSIBILITY.

Whilst having difficulty with my rather constructive criticisms, Mr. Quansah re-echoes my concerns by stating that 'No one disputes the fact that some members of the inky fraternity have done a lot of harm to the journalism profession. There are men and women out there parading the corridors of journalism, who have very little or no respect for the code of ethics of the profession'. If this is not an affirmation of my concerns, then this is contradiction at its best.

I was not whipping any journalist for that matter, Mr. Quansah, to fall in line. I was just appealing to their conscience, and requesting that journalists should check the excesses which could ruin the progress we have made as a nation. My appeal is not an outburst as you put it, Mr. Quansah. It is an appeal, I repeat, for all journalists who have the interest of the people at heart to search their consciences and act freely and positively. All that I was trying to drive home is how we (journalists) could use the media effectively and purposefully as gate keepers, agenda setters, watchdogs and advocates of development. (I hope you don't disagree with me on these roles. Some media practitioners do not believe in using the media for advocacy.)

It is when the likes of Mr. Quansah help in rebuilding the blurry image of the journalism profession, then, can we create the kind of environment needed to facilitate the work of those he described as 'brilliant individuals out there, who are an inspiration to the profession and the nation at large.'

Whatever your stance, I can assure you that you would fail in pursuing your development agenda if you cling to your old, simplistic, blanket, and outdated or antiquated views that 'mainline activity is not the kind of news any serious newsman should worry his or her head about.'

Whilst hoping that Mr. Quansah would be very objective in his analysis of issues, I must re-state that the media are not immune to criticisms, and that we shall command progressive-minded media personnel, whilst urging the public to demand responsible journalism from media practitioners. It is important for the likes of Mr. Quansah to be told that they are not demigods, hence, they must submit themselves to the same lenses with which they criticise others.

Uncle Ebo, you should ask yourself whether the type of parochial journalism some sections of the media are practicing would bring about development. We need new journalism and new politics. I don't know if Mr. Sam Arthur ever told you this. In the 1970s, in the heat of the cold war, he told a class that he could work in the Kremlin and at Buckingham Palace or at Number 10 Downing Street in London. This shows how adaptable and tolerant Sam Arthur, the doyen of journalism training in Ghana, was of divergent ideologies. It would be interesting to learn more about the Sam Arthur. (Did Mr. Arthur work with Nkrumah in training journalists, despite his strong links with the anti-CPP Ashanti Pioneer Newspaper?) Correct me, this is history.

It appears to me all along that through your paper, The Chronicle, you have been waging a fruitless campaign for my removal. Otherwise, how could you say that 'no one begrudges the Minister of Information on his damning verdict on media practice in the country,' when in actual fact, your entire write-up is an exemplification of personal attacks and misguided conclusions?

How on earth would someone like Mr. Quansah have problems with my deputies having to be actively involved in the works of the Ministry of Information? By referring to me as anonymous, Mr. Quansah is suggesting that I should hijack the operations of the entire ministry. Sorry, Mr. Quansah, your suggestion is a breach of collective responsibility, and I would not accept such an ill-conceived prescription. It does not reflect the mark of A GOOD LEADER.

As for your dissatisfaction with the performance of the President, I wish to state that the collective voices of the people will give you the deserving response in the upcoming 2012 elections, so I will not waste time to indulge your attention.

I am, however, shocked that you would shelve mannerisms, and instead attack the President of your own beloved country in such unfortunate terms, not even when you realised that 'it is morally incorrect for me to take on my own Uncle Jamal, because we come from the same area,' to quote you. But, thankfully, we have a President who respects humanity and would not respond to comments that the likes of you continue to churn out in your daily commentaries. At best, posterity will judge us all.

Mr. Quansah, let me share with you my guiding principles: I pray and work for humility, avoid loud and aggressive persons and arrogance. I am always a team player and a servant of the interest of the vast majority. Please, show how creatively and constructively we could handle issues without throwing unnecessary political stones. I question dogmas, because if they are not examined, they could be dangerous. I pray that you keep your eyes and ears open: don't look only for Satan. You might not see Jesus even if he is there.

Maybe you have closed your eyes so tight, or (hoodwinked) that you could not see him. Last, but not the least, don't forget about new journalism or alternative journalism and new politics. These are the principles President Mills believes in, and I will continue to serve him and my countrymen and women.

Uncle Ebo, let's open a new chapter. Let's join hands and help build Ghana. Use your long experience for constructive purposes in helping build the nation. Having explained that my appeal is not an outburst, Mr. Quansah, I hope you will willingly move and work in support of the BETTER GHANA AGENDA to engrave your name among those citizens who strive beyond borders for the development of Ghana.

Thank you, Uncle Ebo.
Your humble servant, John Tia Akologu, Minister for Information

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