Two things in the past week have exposed journalism to attacks. But they are not alone, there are a lot more that need to be addressed by no other group, but journalists themselves. Not even the Ghana Journalists Association can address them without journalists applying themselves to the ethical tenets of their profession.
First, there was a suggestion by a fellow of one of the think-tanks, that the media is fixated on engaging politicians on every issue. Many who went on the thread commended him for echoing their thoughts. Some asked whether they could not ‘LIKE’ the comment more than once. What became apparent was that a large pool of the media consumers are dissatisfied with the extent to which the media go to tell stories. They expect more from media organisations and want these higher standards to be reflected in how journalists conduct their trade.
In that same week, reports of former COCOBOD CEO, Dr. Stephen Opuni’s remuneration was a major subject, following Hackman Owusu-Agyemang’s disclosure. It was subsequently floated that other heads of State Owned Enterprises, earned far higher or close to what the embattled former CEO took home.
The first remark caught my attention rather quickly because, if my memory isn’t failing yet, it was white inscription on a purple background and was rather bold and the LIKES were rapid. Many had not considered other possibilities and probabilities but sought to crucify the media in the process.
I weighed in, provided real newsroom contexts and later raised the issue of sources in a plural media environment like ours. But that wasn’t enough, the audience have a higher expectation of journalists. I don’t fault the maker of the comments, neither do I blame others running commentary on it. They must hold the media to greater accountability because the media is their light in the dark. It’s their eyes in high places and must uncover shady deals both in government and the public sphere. But is the media up to this task all by itself?
That cannot be the case. The media require sources in order to tell a rounded story. Politicians alone can’t tell that story. In the same way experts are unable to tell the stories all by themselves, simply because their experiences are limited and their perspectives may not be comprehensive on all issues. Sometimes, your best source maybe an eyewitness. However, the storyteller must be creative enough to raise the needed issues to tell a compelling tale.
I am unable to provide a verdict on whether in most cases, the stories told have been compelling enough for the audiences. They are in a better position to judge. But my view is that journalists must analyze and synthesize, providing all the angles to enable news consumers make their judgment calls. Given today’s revolution in the trade where citizens are closer to happenings before journalists show up, our ability to provide a chronology of events within the particular context is more telling.
The foregoing is relevant because stories are often told on social media before the journalists’ very eyes. Professionals no longer have distinct dominion over stories to determine what to hold back and what to share. Social media has removed those fetters. Citizen journalists are sharing in the journalists’ glory and that calls for more creativity and professionalism.
Treatment of sources has sometimes been done shabbily. There are other sources, who simply won’t join in the public discourse. You also have the politicians, some of whom are knocking your doors before the story breaks. In fairness, some politicians are only willing to speak on few subjects, while others will speak on every subject, despite their limited knowledge of their own party policies. The reluctance of professionals to provide expert knowledge leaves journalists with few options.
I know for sure that the academic community, think-tanks and professional associations, are the first option for any serious media house. The experts, in the view of many media houses, must have the unbiased answers to most lingering questions. But that’s only an acceptable illusion. We forget that even those who speak have their agenda and are sometimes motivated by various considerations. Again, the whole concept of objectivity crumbles, when subjected to any acid test.
Though experts, for the most part, have other demands for their time, journalists, also sometimes treat them without respect. Because stories have the tendency to develop or move to the back burner quickly, it is expected that when the stories change, even prearranged sources lose their relevance. Media houses and journalists must get back to the sources and explain. But this is often taken for granted.
Journalists and producers also sometimes take for granted the value of eyewitness accounts and the experiences of those at the receiving end of policy. This group is also cardinal in telling original stories that capture and retain audiences’ interest. It’s important the media become their voices and amplify their sentiments. The media cannot be above reproach, some self-introspection every now and then is essential.
When I first saw the figures purported to be the wages for various CEOs of state owned firms on a platform of media practitioners, I nearly shared it in the open. In fact, I copied it, pasted it as a Twitter comment, edited it, but just before hitting the tweet button, the question came up: have you verified this? Are you able to prove it?
I went back to my source to check whether it provided any basis. There was none, so I abandoned the idea of sharing. That’s the principle of our trade. If you have nothing to lose, this may mean nothing, but if you do, holding back is everything. Even in your private social media commentary, you cannot throw the ethics of the trade to the dogs. Minutes later, I saw it all over social media and the commentary was one that in my view will send the Labour Unions chirping in the very near future.
My worry was that as at Saturday a major opinion former for decades, was running with those numbers put out as compensation for captains of SOEs and other institutions of state. When his attention was drawn to those numbers being the figment of someone’s imagination, he was dumbstruck. His reaction was thunderous. It must expose the level of verification done even at high places.
The verdict on those earnings may still be a mystery. The imaginary rates are what is known. It is expected that an investigative journalist will dig deeper and unravel it. But these must not be state secrets. If the President’s salary is known by all, why can’t those of his appointees be known? But that is the tragedy of today’s media practice. The sources are tight lipped over everything. Sometimes, even the availability of the source from his or her secretary, is a secret.
Many, whose contributions could shape many stories told still dwell in the perception that their testimonies could serve the basis for future victimization. With this mentality rife among a media plural society, journalists must ply their trade more carefully.
Again, a good number of experts choose to either be absent from the political space or avoid being called out altogether. The foregoing notwithstanding, the public has high expectations of not just the media but also the experts in our society to provide light in the midst of the dark clouds, to be that sane voice in the midst of all the cacophony, to provide reason where there seems to be utter disagreement. The public expect more from the media and demands that the media does not fail.
Another canker creeping fast into the media is the play-victim syndrome. People who in their attempt to destroy others provide the media with information, often want to remain anonymous and there’s no one to authenticate the rumour or allegation. What do media practitioners do? They must wait for their rainy day. A day someone can corroborate the stories. It may take time, but that’s how long it takes to tell compelling stories.
The media cannot only be just a tool for politicians and interest groups. The core duty of the media is safeguarding the interest of the public, including those groups. However, attempts by these powerful sects to hijack the media for their parochial ends must be resisted. They cannot rob citizens of their opportunity to be heard in the political space. The media has a duty. It cannot fail the populace.
I rest my case.
