Barely a week ago another sad news of the sudden death of a Ghanaian journalist occurred in line of duty.
Much
has been said and reported on the death, which occurred as a result of a
tragic accident while returning to Accra from Ho, in the Volta Region
on a national assignment with the President, John Dramani Mahama.
Media
reports have it that The Ghanaian Times reporter, Samuel Nuamah, died
on the spot while other reporters on the same vehicle are battling for
their lives.
The journalists, we know too well, talks about everything under the sun apart from what affects them.
Deducing
from reports circulating in the social and traditional media, the
accident, which took the precious life of the promising journalist, was
avoidable and unnecessary.
That is the price of not providing standard safety and security for a journalist working at the highest office of the land.
In
Ghana, today, the journalist has been taken for granted in many ways.
They are treated as second-class dignitaries at events where they have
been legitimately invited.
In some cases, they sit at different
tables, which are considered as tables for the ‘press’ at receptions
after events, and they are highly looked down upon. Even though they are
the primary conduits.
Vehicles that pick them for assignments
are not the best. They are made to be transported on vehicles that could
be best described as not road worthy. At the same time organisers of
events ride comfortably in very luxurious and secured vehicles.
It
must be noted that the journalist is equally important as all people
who take part in all events and therefore, must be accorded the needed
courtesies.
It takes journalists to initiate and follow-through
on everything needed for the citizenry to know from interviews to
document requests. They turn raw data and information into easily
digestible knowledge for public consumption.
One time Irish
playwright, poet and author Oscar Wilde said “by giving us the opinions
of the uneducated, journalism keeps us in touch with the ignorance of
the community.” This is more than true. Without the journalist mankind
will be put in total darkness, by way of dissemination of information.
The
Journalist is involved in all major public events. Renowned actors in
society use the journalist to promote their course. Such beneficiaries
of the products of the journalist must place foremost value on the
journalist and in turn identify their worth and deal with them
accordingly.
The Journalist provides the fundamentals for
effective public sphere which also promotes dynamic society and
democracy. All sectors and hierarchies of governance and even the media
need the journalist. The security sector, the judicial sector and indeed
all sectors depend heavily on the journalist. His role in exerting the
needed pressure for societal fairness and accountability cannot be
overemphasized.
Journalists in Ghana, have not deemed themselves
as kings or queens and have not demanded any preferential treatment, but
at least they must be treated from all fronts as any other person
attending events.
The journalist’s circumstance in Ghana has
worsened with the proliferation of media houses in the country. Most of
them are over used but at a very bargain-basement wages.
Some are
just paid meager allowances while most of them do not have workplace
conditions of service. Others do not enjoy any form of remuneration and
heavily rely on organisers of event for survival.
Circumstances are such that majority of journalists in the country today are at the mercy of media managers.
Fortunately
the situation is not the same with all journalists. Some, indeed, have
identified their worth and positioned themselves accordingly.
There
is the urgent need for support systems for the Ghanaian journalist to
help whip up their confidence and self assertiveness to enable them
present themselves as worthy for all purposes and occasion.
All
stakeholders in the industry, especially the Ghana Journalists
Association (GJA), among others, must ensure that these noble
professionals providing special impetus to our democracy do not
unnecessarily kowtow to pressure of their plights.
The adherence
to professional norms and codes as well as the personal background,
values and opinions not forgetting his experience of in-work training
and socialisation are all key factors to build up the professional
capacity of the journalist
Journalism in fact, is a very noble
profession, to say the least; no wonder the media is placed forth within
the governance structure of the country.
They should standout as professionals who would not only be used and dumped afterwards.
They
must demand not only what is due them but more importantly what is
befitting and also appropriate for them from all quarters of their
operations.
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