How The Mass Media can Shape the Political opinions of the People of Ghana

In communication, media or (medium, singular) are the storage and transmission tools use to store and deliver information or data. It is some times called mass media or news media. It may also be referred to as ‘’singular’’ medium use to communicate any data.

Again, when media and communication is mentioned, it does not only mean one thing. Media comprise of electronic (radio, television, and the internet) and the press (newspapers, magazines, posters, books etc). All collectively refer to as media.

Information is a crucial thing in socio-economic, cultural and political development. The media is a vital instrument in disseminating information and other media activities such as entertainment, education, and informing the public. Another important function of the media is the power to change, filter and shape the political opinions and views of the people.

The political opinion of the people of Ghana started taking shape way back in the 1950s and 1960s, when Ghana gained independence. Before Ghana was granted independence from its British imperialists, the political opinion of the people of Ghana was somewhat different. The socio-political and cultural life of the colonialists was handed down to the people of Ghana.

In the absence of media, the only way to go about changing people’s political opinion was to resort to massive mobilization of the people such as political rallies, symposia, forums, and other public address systems. This strategy was used by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and his allies, and it became effective for changing the political opinion of the people at the time.

When the struggle for independence begun, simple massages were given out to the people to prepare their minds and enable them to see the need to take governance (self rule) from the British, and indeed it was made possible by the only newspaper that was established by Africans and managed by Africans (Accra herald).

Dr. K. Nkrumah argued that the people of Ghana needed a new identity. He also said that when the Ghanaian was given the chance, he could manage his own affairs. Therefore, he made it quite Clare that it was time out for the ‘’enemy’’ (imperialists). When these principles were echoed and re-echoed into the ears of the people, it changed their political lives. They began to realize that they had the ability to manage their own affairs.

The question of how political opinion of the people of Ghana can be shaped is very important. It has being accepted that ‘’the media do not represent the realities, but it shapes and filter the opinions of the people’’. There are several ways that the political opinions of the people of Ghana can be shaped.

One of the various ways that the political opinions of the people of Ghana can be changed is through the agenda setting theory. It simply states that, the mass media has the power to set the agenda for the people to discuss through emphasizing on certain issues and de-emphasizing certain issues.

The agenda setting theory comprises multiple functions that make it possible to either change filter or shape the political opinions of the people of Ghana. For instance, media concentration on few political issues and subjects that lead to the public to perceive these issues are more important than others.

In Ghana there are many ways in which the media could shape the political opinions of the people of Ghana.

 Gate keeping; control over the selection of topics (political) discuss in the media, thus what the public knows and cares about.
 Priming; effects of particular context on retrieval and interpretation of information. The media content will provide a lot of time and space to certain issues making these issues more accessible and vivid in the mines of the people. (Miller 2005).
 Framing; it is the process of selective control over media content or public communication. Framing defines how a certain part of media content is packaged so it will influence certain interpretation that is accomplished through the use of selection, emphasis and elaboration.

Uses of Agenda Setting Theory In Shaping The Political Opinion of The People of Ghana.

 Political advertising
 Political campaigns, discourse and debates
 Role of groups, audience control and public opinion

Strengths Of The Agenda Setting Theory

 It has the power to explain itself, because it has the power to explain why most people think that the same issues are important.
 It has the power to predict, if the same people are exposed to the same media, they will feel that the same issues are important.
 It can be proven false; if people are not exposed to the same media they will not feel that the same issues are important.
 Its assumptions are balanced on the scientific side.
 It has the power to organize; it helps to organize the existing knowledge of media effects (Everett Rogers 1963).

The Dominant Paradigm of Communication/Modernization Theory
The dominant paradigm theory states that there is a necessary fitness between a ‘’modern’’ culture and political development. It argues that the low political awareness coupled with the low participation of the masses around the world can be explained by the persistence and continues adherence to outmoded traditional values and attitudes.

The goals of the modernization theory (Daniel Lerner 1958) were to instill modern political values through the transfer of media and information technology in the people. In Ghana for instance, the modernization theory started taking shape in the 1990s. This became possible when some business magnates saw the need to invest heavily in the Ghanaian media.

The media in Ghana became very vital in the change over between the Ghanaian traditional leadership and modern political structures (democratic processes). This transition has relegated the traditional rule to the background. The transition paved way for democratic rule to take a centre stage in governance in Ghana. This agenda were cautiously perused through the creation of regional FM stations through out the nation.

Democracy had changed the lives of the people of Ghana, including the way we lived and managed our own affairs. A classical example is conflict resolution mechanisms (Betty Rabbar 2004). Socio-political realities of these conflict resolutions are deep rooted in the culture and history of Ghanaian people and are one way or the other unique to each community. (J.J Rawlings 2000) Ghanaians are admonished not to let Ghana sink into the level of other African countries where democracy has become a nightmare.

These realities are factored into the modern democratic process which create modern court systems (tribunal) for the resolution of these conflicts. Democracy has put in place measures to curb the culture of unequal access to natural justice, power, ethnic mistrust (ethnocentrism), inadequate structures, border tensions, and proliferation of illicit arms into the hands of tribal chiefs, warlords, and fellow tribesmen.

Reference:

Accra herald. First African newspaper in Ghana.

Betty Rabbar (2004). Conflict resolution mechanisms.

Dr. Kwame Nkrumah (1957). People of Ghana needed a new identity.

Daniel Lerner (1958). Goals of the modernization theory.

Everett Rogers (1963).understanding the adoption behaviors of the people.

J.J Rawlings (2000).democracy in Ghana should not to become a nightmare.

Miller (2005).effects of the agenda setting theory.

The duty of the media is to inform the people

The News Media is the conduit through which information passes. It may be from the Public to the Government (authorities) or from the Government to the Public. For this reason, the significance of the News Media to the Public cannot be over emphasized.

Covering the political process is basically to report about the Government, the Policies it intends to implement and the issues that affect the Public. The Media has a social contract with the Public to inform them about what they need to know.

It is the duty of the Media to inform the people, in the process of informing the public, journalists should recognize the principles and rules underlying the Journalism Profession. Accuracy, objectivity, fairness and balance are the key words in journalism and they must be adhered to.

Even though the news makers are important, the substance of the news is paramount. Unearthing how much is in the National kitty, how Government intends to spend it, and reporting it is more important than any individual.

Journalists should be careful in how they report people’s private affairs. The Media can put the Government on its toes when they concentrate on the substance of the news.

Journalists stand the chance to play a big role in Policy Initiation when they stick to the Standards of their Profession.

The News Media should communicate the concerns of the Public to the Authorities. They should let the Government know what the people want, and where they want it. Once Government is fed with this information they would be guided, as to where to spend money.

However, if there are recalcitrant individuals journalists can expose them. For instance, people who embezzle Government funds must be named and shamed or be prosecuted.

''Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, a people who mean to be their own governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives." --James Madison (Fourth President of the United States)

privision of educatinal infrastructure is the way forward

Educational think-thanks has ended a pulsating debate on the duration of Senior High School at the on going national education forum, where the proponents of either of the views were advancing reasons to support their positions.

The views of the proponents of the four year system is that, the increasing of the duration to four years would reverse the high incident of students who are currently unable to qualify for Universities and other Tertiary Institutions.

On the other hand the proponents of the of the three year duration think that the dismal academic performance of the Senior High School does not lie in the extension of the duration, rather, they argued that problems such as inadequate infrastructure and teacher motivation need to be addressed at the basic level.

After evaluating the debate on both sides, we have come to realize that the educational difficulties that plague our Country, Ghana, are neither the idea of increasing the duration or maintaining it at the previous three year term.

We are of the opinion that Government and other stake holders in Education should think of facilitating quality Education by way of providing enough Infrastructures, Quality Teaching and learning materials and Teacher motivation.

This Triangular strategy, in our opinion, is the panacea to the Educational quagmire in all levels of Education in Ghana. We therefore propose that Government should replace ‘’under-tree’’ learning with proper class rooms and teacher motivation and subsequently make the syllabi available.

Manifesto of alhassan naziru
aspiring for local nugs/gups president
REVITALIZING STUDENTS 16th june, 2009
Thank you Mr. Chairman for the opportunity given to me to share with my colleagues what I wish to do for the Jayee community if I am voted for. The ability and destiny of each and every one of us lies in our hands, it is only for the purpose of orderliness that leadership is important. It is in this light that I present to you the principles, ideas and purposes of my quest to take a leadership position in this great institution. These principles and ideas, of cause are not out side the constitution of the student representative council.

In the event that I am given the nod, I shall maintain a consistent and permanent communication link between students of Jayee University College and the permanent secretariat of NUGS/GUPS. I am confident that Jayee University can compete with any other university in Ghana, therefore; I will always strive to include the name of Jayee University in any NUGS/GUPS activities.

I shall inform students on current progress and development in NUGS/GUPS. Students of jayee University College are entitled to any information concerning students of Ghana. I am assuring you that any information that is relevant and beneficial to jayee students will not be hidden from you.

I shall take the challenge to be the spokesperson on NUGS/GUPS national affairs on campus and shall preside over all NUGS/GUPS meetings locally. The biggest aim I would want to use this office to achieve is unity, If given the mandate, I would rather we talk to each other, and not talk about each other for our betterment and not for bitterness, so that we can keep the chase, to keep the pace and to avoid being chased out.

It shall be my responsibility to convene emergency general meetings with the consent of the executive council to convey any information requiring urgent treatment and attention in relation to NUGS/GUPS. I will use necessary information to inspire students of Jayee University to have the passion in participating in programs that concern students nationwide.

I shall always organize and prepare students of Jayee University College for all NUGS/GUPS activities. I shall work in conjunction with the SRC to make sure that the name of jayee and the students of jayee are respected everywhere in Ghana. My pre-occupation would be to make sure that jayee takes part in every necessary activity nationally

I shall consider it important to organize students of Jayee University College for off the campus programs. I shall mediate between students and the student loan administrators on the issue of loan and refunds. I shall make it part of my business to organize familiarization tours to most of the important places in Ghana, both within and outside Accra. It is important to note that student loan accessibility has always been difficult for students. I am assuring you that I will participate in any deliberation that has to do with student loan. Not only that, I will make sure all your difficulties are made known to the loan administrators.

In conclusion, people who want power think of the next election. A statesman thinks of the next generation. I am a statesman; I am appealing to you to vote for me so that together we can work towards our future. Vote for ALHASSAN NAZIRU, for modesty, firm and effective leadership.
Thank You…
Not to participate in activities of one’s community is to be either a ‘’beast or a God’’…Aristotle
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