Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy

This was jointly concluded at a two-day workshop for senior media personnel and political parties at Atimpoku, Ghana (30-31 March) which, with the upcoming elections in mind, was set to discuss the relation between both groups in media coverage about political events.
 

Ethics

[Mrs Jean Mensa of the Institute of Economic Affairs IEA] The two-day workshop, which was opened by Minister of Information Mrs Oboshie Sai Cofie, was organized by the Institute of Economic Affairs-facilitated Ghana Political Parties’ Programme, which is funded by NIMD. “Ethics seems to have flown out of the window. Truth is subjectivised and opinions have now become facts. This is not the media freedom that we fought for,” said IEA Administrator Mrs Jean Mensa, referring to the 1992 Constitution which guarantees freedom of speech and media freedom.

The debate started off heatedly with both sides complaining about the other’s behaviour. Politicians referred to various examples of ‘biased journalists’, ‘provocative questions’ and ‘blatant lies’. On the other hand journalists complained about politicians who refuse to disclose information and answer questions. “If you write bad about them they tell you to go to hell. If you write the same about their political enemies, you’re invited to heaven”, explains Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafo of Ghana’s leading newspaper Daily Graphic.


Accountable media

[Radio debate between politicians at Joy FM] In his address to the audience President of the Media Foundation of West Africa Professor Kwame Karikari argued that there is truth in the complaints of both groups. But compared to the past, and to other African countries, the media situation is not all doom and gloom, he said. Besides more powers to the Media Commission the media sector does not need more regulation, he argued. “Self-regulation is a good thing, but we should not turn the NMC in a court of law. Their main task is to create and protect a free environment for our press.”

To make the media more accountable both groups agreed to the need to empower the National Media Commission to seek a court order when its rulings are being disobeyed, as so often is the case. Furthermore media houses must develop in-house accountability mechanisms such as an internal Ombudsman to which the public can file complaints.

The joint communiqué of the political parties and media also stated the need for a Broadcasting Act to regulate the fast expanding broadcasting sector. After the liberalization of the airwaves many new FM stations were established, however without a regulating framework. This has resulted in a situation of various new stations directly owned or indirectly influenced by political parties or individual politicians. Although complaints about lack of accuracy and independent coverage are not restricted to radio and TV alone, there is widespread discontent about the biased reporting and less-experienced journalists at some of these stations.


Culture of preaching

To enhance the quality of reporting Professor Karikari pleaded for a stronger focus on the quality of reporting. “There is too much opinion and too little analyse. It is all about perceptions rather than facts.” Although training could help overcome this problem he claimed that the real causes lie deeper. According to him the tone of many media reports is a clear example of “our cultural discourse and style of communicating. We have a tradition of authoritarian speak with a strong focus on preaching and moralizing. This is far more difficult to change.”