Last week, I found myself attending the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of Ghana\u2019s press conference together with some colleague media men. Well, it was my first time so I was particularly attentive in order not to miss any relevant information from the Governor, Dr. Kofi Wampah.<\/p>\n
After spending what seemed to be an eternity reading his statement, Dr. Wampah opened the floor for questions. Almost simultaneously, a couple of hands shot into the sky amidst some murmurings. I observed from afar.<\/p>\n
One after the other, the journalists started firing from all cylinders. Some questions were miles off course while others hit the target, with the Governor issuing his responses. Then he got to one specific question asked by one of the journalists.<\/p>\n
He started by acknowledging that the question was not in relation to the Central Bank\u2019s MPC, rather a welfare question. For once I thought it was the welfare committee meeting of my local church.<\/p>\n
So what were the journalist\u2019s concerns? According to him, for several years the Central Bank has maintained its soli<\/i> to journalists at GH\u00a220 despite the worsening economic situation.<\/p>\n
To say I was shocked at the question was an understatement. Really?<\/p>\n
The debate about soli<\/i> is a never-ending one, but what really bothered me this time was the depth to which some have sunk the journalism profession. Although the journalist was heckled before he could finish asking his question, the import of his message was already clear.<\/p>\n
I am sure the incidence of self-styled journalists is not a new phenomenon in this country. Popularly referred to as \u201cpaparazzi\u201d, these charlatans jump from one news event to another, munching on food meant as refreshments and demanding that they are given soli<\/i> for work they will not do.<\/p>\n
A cursory look at these journalists will reveal that they work for sham media houses like The Flame, the Rainbow, National Fire, etc. It was a phenomenon that started on the low, but it has now reached alarming proportions such that these quacks can hold event organisers hostage for unpaid soli<\/i>.<\/p>\n
The harm these self-styled journalists have inflicted on the journalism profession in Ghana is quite irreparable. At most, if not all, of government\u2019s meet-the-press briefings, these journalists are ably represented.<\/p>\n
And characteristic of them, they are first to jump at the opportunity to ask a question. As if by coincidence, their questions almost all the time beg common sense. I have not been in journalism for a decade, yet these crooks usually make you feel ashamed of your career.<\/p>\n
There have been times that these charlatans, who move around like a pack of wolves, have gatecrashed events of the Ghana Journalists Association, the torchbearer of journalistic high standards. But is the GJA really to blame for this development?<\/p>\n
I think it really depends on where one looks at it from. One of the GJA\u2019s mandates is to ensure high journalistic standards in the country. But sadly, the GJA is so fixated on its awards scheme, believing that that alone can raise the journalistic bar.<\/p>\n
The awards event itself is always embroiled in controversy, but that\u2019s another story for another time. Beyond organising these awards, the GJA is mostly inconspicuous. Occasionally, they will spring to life to issue a statement when a journalist is assaulted. That sums up the GJA\u2019s role.<\/p>\n
Maybe the GJA has done some extensive work to rid the profession of these charlatans which I may not be aware of. But to me, I think the GJA needs to have a rethink of its strategy \u2013 that is if it has any.<\/p>\n
Quite a good number of donor agencies have made available a lot of cash for the development of Ghana\u2019s media. These funds could be accessed to offer refresher courses for journalists in order to bring them at par with modern trends.<\/p>\n
Also, the GJA could liaise with various journalism schools to ensure that the training methods are always up to standard and meet the association\u2019s expectations. When this is done, journalists like that man at the BoG seeking an upward adjustment of his soli <\/i>will feel isolated, as the difference between himself and a properly trained journalist will be so vast.<\/p>\n
But so far as the standards remain below par, and so-called journalists can\u2019t even string a decent statement without making unpardonable grammatical errors, these charlatans will thrive and further tarnish the image of the profession.<\/p>\n
When we sit aloof and allow these charlatans and half-baked journalists to destroy the profession, we can be sure that we are not going to get the best talents to serve the profession.<\/p>\n
And lest I forget, the GJA must make sure that it also plays its role as a welfare body. Journalists in general are among the least paid professionals and you can\u2019t really expect the best from the worst paid person. It\u2019s doesn\u2019t add up.<\/p>\n
The task ahead for the GJA looks arduous, but we must give it a shot. We have a responsibility to protect what fetches us our daily bread.<\/p>\n
I pray the GJA sees this light\u2026It\u2019s a humble plea.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m out.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
By: Richard Abbey\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana<\/p>\n
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Last week, I found myself attending the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of Ghana\u2019s press conference together with some colleague media men. Well, it was my first time so I was particularly attentive in order not to miss any relevant information from the Governor, Dr. Kofi Wampah. After spending what seemed to be an […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":47437,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[8],"yoast_head":"\n