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Renowned communications and media activist Professor Kwame Afum Karikari blamed the unprofessional nature of some journalists and media on the fact that most of the media are now owned by politicians who do not pay their employees.
The former Managing Director of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) shared this observation during his appearance at the third edition of MTN’s thought leadership program, the “Bright Conversations” series, on Wednesday, September 1, 201.
Today’s edition saw Professor Karikari share his rich experience in journalism and communication with a focus on the theme “Promoting Professionalism in the Age of Social Media and Citizen Journalism”.
He said that today many private media owners who have no idea of the media don’t care about professionalism.
“Much of the lack of professionalism has to do with the fact that most of the media are now owned by members of the main political parties. And that’s where a lot of the lack of professionalism comes from, ”lamented Professor Kwame Karikari.
He said that unlike private media, journalists working for state media exhibit a high level of appreciable professionalism.
Despite the questions raised about the unprofessional nature of the private media, Professor Kwame Karikari stressed that the Ghanaian media have done a generally commendable job in advancing the democracy of the country, especially in contributing to the maintenance of peace.
“Anytime a political party has tried to do something the public doesn’t like, you will find the media loud to defeat the politician. “There was a high level of professionalism on the part of the media, even during an election period.
“So I think our media have played roles that have helped us or our society to move forward. “
In an opinion, Professor Kwame Afum Karikari urged the media to be critical by questioning government policies more often.
According to him, the media have been cornered by political parties and politicians in their attempt to scrutinize government policies.
Speaking on the impact of social media and citizen journalism, Professor Karikari applauded the conduct of news houses in the country.
He noted that in general, the media has not been corrupted much by negative social media posts.
“There have been a few slippages here and there, but if you take this media that is really professional, the ones that we consider to be more established and independent, they haven’t been corrupted by social media content,” he said. -he explains.
To encourage professionalism, Prof Karikari urged newspaper house owners to improve the conditions of service for workers and provide the necessary financial and logistical support to help journalists research articles and report well.
He said that to be professional is to have the resource to go out and research the news, therefore improving the level of journalists should not be taken for granted.
Today’s edition of “Luminous Conversations” with Professor Kwame Karikari was held at MTN House in Ridge, Accra.
It follows similar editions previously held by MTN Ghana when the giant telecommunications network company hosted Nana Kwasi Gyan Apenteng, the former chairman of the National Media Commission and the Rev. Joyce Aryee of the ministries of salt and light. .
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