Journalists, like Doctors, Nurses and Teachers Need to be Treated well by the Government

The only opportunity that gave me the supremacy to go on as a journalist was the distinct honor done to me by the Ghanaian times newspaper. One of the largest state owned newspapers in Ghana, having offered me a slot to do internship with a media house that has excellent learning opportunities.

After undergoing a vigorous three year journalistic training at Jayee University College, formerly known as Jayee Institute. I gleefully achieved my foremost newspaper bye-line in the most reputable newspaper in Ghana after a day’s practice in news coverage.

Working at Ghanaian Times served as a turning point in my life as an up coming journalist. The day-to-day goings at Ghanaian Times was pure fun, simple. But the hours can be tough and working weekends was the standard.

Ghanaian Times comes out everyday, after all. But I also had the option to interact with fascinating people, both at the paper and out reporting. I appreciate the fact that a journalist was one of the most powerful citizens in the society.

Journalism offered me a huge opportunity to meet interesting people, I visited interesting places and I got to know a lot of authoritative people in the society, such as politicians, business magnates, the academia and the ordinary man in the street.

Doing internship at the Ghanaian Times newspaper was a jolly joy and a mixture of passion. At first I became a little apprehensive, since I had never worked in any media house.

 I had no prior skills to guide me. But once I was highly motivated to take the challenge, I hit the tabloid with my very first news coverage at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.

In my next assignment, I and a senior reporter at Ghanaian Times formed part of an extremely elevated entourage with the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing and other dignitaries. We toured Accra to inspect the status of government bungalows.

I could not imagine that I was in a ‘‘siren blaring’’ convoy that never knew traffic for the whole they in the traffic stricken Accra.

I never new journalism could be such a great fun, It was terrific amusing, everyday was different just as every story was unique. But most of all I had a chance to do something that was for the public good; inform, explain, reveal unknown but imperative information and entertain.

It was against this backdrop that a former United States President, Thomas Jefferson opined that if it was left to him to decide whether we should have government without the press or the press without government. He stressed that he would not hesitate for a moment to go for the later. But he underscored that it would be crucial that every man must receive the news and be able to read and understand them.       

 I met wonderful colleague journalists, we discussed interesting national concerns and I became familiar and known to journalists across the various media houses.   

The most significant thing in my life as a journalist was when I interviewed the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing. I was extremely excited since that was my first time interviewing a luminary. I became so fulfilled as a journalist because that interview with the Minister gave me the impetus to do my work as a journalist.

Working at Ghanaian Time had made me to believe that newspaper was the best alternative for internship, because newspaper journalists explain in detail and put into context the important issues of the day. Newspaper journalists report for a local audience that truly cares about those issues. And we do so with depth, repeatedly.

 With the audacity that I had acquired, I became goaded to do my individual stories without being assigned. Thanks to the experience that I had acquired, I can now brag, having interviewed over twenty public figures in a pace of few weeks.

What was important for me at Ghanaian Times was I learn constantly from the people around me, and from my own mistakes. I had my highs and lows, perhaps the great story I did yesterday got published today and it was elating, yet my editor desired to know what story I had for the next edition. And that’s part of what made it great.

Among the interviews I deemed important was one with the Public Affairs Director of the Electoral Commission of Ghana. The purpose of the interview was to clarify matters pertaining to a proposed E-voting.

The anticipated E-voting was presumed to be implemented in the 2012 general elections. I was so excited when it got published on the Ghanaian Times Newspaper, and also on myjoyonline.com news portal in the internet.

I always took notice that the press, in any country was the ‘‘fourth estate of the realm.’’ But I could not decipher it until one day; I went to cover a program.

When the main speaker of the program took his turn, after acknowledging the executives, the legislature and the judiciary, he turned to the audience in a parked auditorium and mentioned the press.

After the superior acknowledgement from a ‘VIP’ in the midst of a highly attended symposium, I now understood how the press became known as the fourth estate of the realm.

I had just memorized how ‘‘the fourth estate of the realm’’ was coined by an 18^th century Irish orator, Edmund Burke. The term was coined during a British parliamentary debate; Edmund Burke adequately recognized the press.

He turned to the press gallery and said, ‘‘there were three estates in the parliament, but seated in the press gallery over there is the fourth estate of the realm, the most important of them all,’’ Pointing to the press.   

Working for the Ghanaian Times as a news reporter in this few weeks, I have no doubt in my mind that the newspaper has the most excellent human resource and they are very dedicated to the service of the Ghanaian public.

 Everyone at Ghanaian Times is amazing, they have excellent interpersonal relations thus from driver to management level. To this end, I had no regrets for being associated with Ghanaian Times. I would love to work there yet again if given the opportunity.

However, it is distressing to note that such a wonderful outfit like Ghanaian Times cannot boast of necessary equipments such as computers and the prevailing technology ‘like local area networking’ and constant internet connectivity.

Possibly, it would sound wacky in the ears of public to note that people are often sent around to distribute information like pictures and stories. Even layout designers also go round to collect stories and other items to be able to plan their pages. Clearly, this is waste of time and energy since many more errands could be accomplished ‘online.’

Permit me an opportunity to exploit this occasion to plead with the government, on behalf of management of Ghanaian Times newspaper. Probably, to solicit government to provide not only equipments, as well incentives like vehicles, accommodation and other facilities to journalists in state owned media outlets.

The writer> Alhassan Naziru

Of cause, if government could provide these incentives for teachers, doctors and other public servants. It can do same for journalists who also work at the state owned media institutions. These journalists spend their lives informing, entertaining and educating the public. Knowledge, they say is power and journalists offer just that for free.

I could see a bright future at the Ghanaian Times newspaper, if government takes steps now to facelift the institution both structurally and logistically. It is only fair and prudent that government must be serious with such maintenance culture, since government is the beneficiary in this case.

I am highly indebted to anyone who helped, in one way or the other to facilitate my admission into the Ghanaian Times Newspaper. I can only hope and pray that such glorious opportunities be given to others who ar

Electricity Company of Ghana, not Committed to Reducing Commercial Losses

An electricity power bandit, who siphons power from Volta River Authority of Ghana and trade it to over 100 customers, is uncovered at Maamobi in Accra.

A vital investigation conducted by a Ghanaian Times reporter has exposed a dubious electricity provider popularly known as Sammy, at Maamobi. Sammy, the self style ‘‘independent power supplier’’ can now boast of over 100 customer base.

He charges Gh ¢ 5.00 per household, regardless to the number of house hold appliances per customer.

What is difficult to comprehend is that this unlawful act and impunity has gone on for years without being detected.

It is normal that Electricity Company of Ghana has personnels, who do monthly rounds to every household for meter reading and distribution of bills. What is not ordinary is that ECG does not seem to ask questions when they see houses with electricity without meters to be read.

Sammy does not only engage in electric power distribution. According to him, he also provide pipe borne water to people apparently from Ghana Water Company through the same illegality.

Speaking to the Times reporter, Sammy complained that he borrowed over Gh ¢ 4000 to undertake these two projects.

These revelations have fueled suspicions that personnels of Electricity Company of Ghana are not only aware of this criminality but also, they are part of it.

The findings of the investigation is also an indicative that the Electricity Company of Ghana and the Ghana Water Company are oblivion of the huge loses the they incur.

When VRA/ECG took their turn at the public accounts committee of parliament last week, it was revealed that the VRA was operating at a loss of 25% of their total energy production which translates into Gh ¢ 6 million.

The losses were classified as commercial and technical. According to the VRA, when they attempted to reduce only the technical loses in only two areas, one area in Kumasi and Madina in Accra, it cost them $ 30 million.

Mr. Cephas Gakpo, the acting Chief Executive officer of the Volta River Authority added that power theft contributed immensely to the operational losses that they were grappling with  

VRA was also on record to have reported that they were owed to Ministries Departments and Agencies to a tune of about $250 million. It is therefore unacceptable that all the losses, which are as a result of the inefficiencies of utility providers, are transferred to the poor and innocent consumers.

It would serve the utility providers some good to immediately set up a task force to go round investigate, and if possible to disconnect and charge people who are engaged in any illegalities.

 

Ghana Police in Dire Need of Logistics

The Ghana Police Service has lost it’s efficacy in its core duties of defending the Public, enforcing the law and affecting arrest of law breakers.

Two Police Personnel over the Week ends in Accra Kotobabi, has displayed their ineptitude following their in ability to effect arrest.

An aggrieved Tenant, Mrs. Aku 25 had reported violation of Tenancy Agreement by her Landlady madam Alice 55 to the Police, apparently to intervene and save her from being thrown out of the house. ‘’ The rent agreement is two years but I stayed in the room barely one and half years’’, the tenant explained.

A first, a lone Police man arrived together with the Complainant with an invite from the Police, inviting the Landlady to the Police Station for questioning. The Landlady declined the invite, saying that the Police are corrupt.

Whiles there, the Police obtained information that the facility the Landlady is renting out is not for her. The Police man, realizing that he could not effect the arrest alone went back to the Police station for reinforcement.  

The reinforcement arrived later in a charted Taxicab, but before the two police could land from the cab, the Landlady started yelling and hurling insults and invectives at the Police.

Nonetheless, the Police walked to her amid the rain of insults to show an arrest warrant to her. Immediately, the Landlady snatched the paper from the Police officer and threw it into a nearby gutter filled with water.

Clearly, ‘’this disrespect and grossly disobeying the orders of the Police is despicable and an acceptable’’, this is the opinion of the onlookers as they watched with disgust. 

world class police having tough time controlling crowd 

‘’Why would anybody respect a Police Personnel who arrive in a scene in a Taxicab, with a tattered, discolored uniform and wretched unpolished shoes’’ another witness explained.

These are the sentiments of Concerned Ghanaians who think that the Police Service must be given proper training in addition to massive facelift in terms of Logistics.     

REPORT FOR INTERNSHIP IN 2009/2010

Introduction

This report is all about an internship undertaken at the Ghanaian Times Newspaper. The internship offered me an opportunity to work in the Newsroom of Ghanaian times. It broadened my horizon as to the techniques of the journalism trade.

I believe that the report in here would be useful to the faculty of communications science of journalism department of Jayee University College. This report will equip the journalism department to ascertain the impact of internship on journalism students of Jayee.

This report is structured in such a way that will put in the picture, the experiences I as a student journalist acquired in the field during the internship including drawbacks, lessons, and challenges if there were any.

Background of the internship

The rationale of the internship was to equip me with the experience that I needed to be able to ply the trade of journalism. The internship is a useful project to undertake, because it took me through the etiquettes of the professional practice of journalism.

As a matter of fact the internship provided me with the chance to put into practice the theory that I have studied in school. It gave me the impetus to go on as a professional journalist.

The internship was also crucial because it served as a partial fulfillment of requirements for the award of advance diploma in journalism.

The media house that offered me the unique opportunity to undertake this noble internship was the Ghanaian Times Newspaper. They are one of the largest state owned newspapers, with branches through out the country. Ghanaian Time can pride themselves with a daily circulation of about fifty thousand copies.

The internship spanned for two months, I started from the 1^st December, 2009 till 30^th January 2010. The duration was enough for me to learn most of the disciplines of journalism as a news reporter, even though I recommend for the extension of the period from 2 to 3 months.

Mr. Harry Reynolds is the Group Editorial Manager of the Ghanaian Times Newspaper. And he was the one who supervised my work during the entire internship period. Mr. Harry was an intellectual and a great Teacher, I learned a lot from him.     

Methodology

The internship was undertaken in Accra, I worked in the newsroom as a Ghanaian Times news reporter. My basic responsibilities as a news reporter included attending forums, seminars, and meetings. I arranged face-to-face interviews with public officials and other important figures in the society.

As a person entering news gathering and news processing for the first time, I encountered few hic ups here and there on the very first day that I started. But I subsequently equipped myself with the dos and don’ts of the profession and also learned from the senior colleagues. It was also a bit easier for me because I was also sent on assignments to go and cover events, even though I did not rely on them.  

I preferred my own original stories to the assignments that I was being sent because the stories I got from the assignments lacked originality.

Technically, one had to use one’s expertise in this discipline so that one can get the effect that one wants. Definitely, if you go to an assignment you meet a lot of other journalists, therefore I did not consider that kind of work as serious journalism. As a journalist, I was always striving for exclusivity even if it took days to conclude. I always get excited any time I initiate my own story and it got hit the tabloid.

Averagely, the maximum duration in processing my own initiated stories is between three day and one week. I had uncounted stories that I had to cross check for more than three days just to avoid controversy. I was always careful not to cause any legal tussle between the media house and anybody. 

Actual work

The work that I did at the Ghanaian Times Newspaper involves news gathering and news processing. As an intern, I went to work as early as 7am. I assisted the senior journalists with their work in the newsroom. I also helped to put things in place by tidying up the newsroom for the day’s business to commence. In addition to this, I used to file the day’s newspaper in the Times news file.

By 9am I was out in the field for one assignment or the other. If there were no assignment I sought permission from my news editor to go and pursue my own stories, am happy that permission was all the time granted.

A typical day’s schedule for an average journalist, of which I am one, saw me moving from one potential news source to another. Indeed, I spent most part of my day in the field collecting news. I could only be seen back in the newsroom of Ghanaian Times by 5pm.

At that time most newsmen had returned from the field and news processing and analysis begun. I got my stories together and make them ready for publishing. Some times upon my arrival my news editor would ask me what I have got for the day. When I told her she would get interest in the story and ask me to expedite its processing and submit it for proofreading, editing and subsequent planning it into the dummy page layout.

Some times the page planners would call me to come and justify some portions of my stories. When I got there and make some few corrections and modifications, then I would be convinced that my story was going to be published on the following day’s edition. Typically, this has being the nature of work I did at Ghanaian Tines newspaper from the day I started the internship until my time run out.

The department where the internship was undertaken

At Ghanaian Times Newspaper, there are several departments including finance, editorials, production and advertising. I was happy to have been placed at the editorial department where news gathering, processing, analysis, proofreading and editing were done.

The newsroom, as part of the editorial department is one of the most interesting departments at Ghanaian Times Newspaper. This is the department where I saw all the seasoned journalists that I have heard of before I got to the New Times Corporation. In the morning, all of them were converged at the newsroom. Interesting topics and their day’s experiences were discussed. I learned and enjoyed every bit of their discussing before they left for their various assignments.

When I came back in the evening again, they were also there writing their stories putting pictures together and collaborating with sources of their news via telephone calls to confirm one or two things. As an intern, I benefited from all of this, I considered them as the techniques of the journalism trade and I humbly adopted them all.

How I did the work

Journalism work, for that matter news gathering and news reporting is a pretty tedious work. Looking at the principles and standards of journalism one cannot but agree with me that it is not easy in meet the values of the job.

Considering what is involved in news reporting, a journalist must go the extra length to satisfy the principles of accuracy, balance, clarity, objectivity, truth, comprehensiveness and independence. This is a tall order, but that is the mill through which news passes through before it is either ‘‘inked or aired’’. It is believed that all these elements and more must be present in a story to make it news worthy.

As a journalist I employed several methods in the gathering of news including interviews, attending government meetings, research, press conferences personal observations etc. any of these methods is used depending on the situation. Mostly I did follow up stories perhaps to remind the authorities on promises that they have made.

In doing follow up stories, I go back in time to pick a story of public importance and public interest. I sought people views to do evaluation as to whether the story was still relevant. The significance of doing follow up stories was to keep public officials in close monitoring by reminding them that they could not say just anything and think that the people will forget.

The methods and the equipments that I used

Traditionally, every journalist uses pens and jotters and notebooks in recording events. But the advent of technology has helped the situation today by making available cameras, digital recorders and other gadgets.

I used digital camera, digital recorder and ‘‘the almighty’’ notebooks and pens. Like I have said earlier on, any of this equipment can be used depending on the situation. For instance, if I were to interview any important personality, I used a digital recorder which is very portable and produces crystal clear sound.

Most often digital camera was used along side with notebook/jotter. In a situation where sound was not clear, and recorder could not be used, I resorted to the use a jotter. In some situations I was not allowed to use a recorder, then again I used a jotter just that I would not miss any details.

Observations/findings

When I was at Ghanaian Times Newspaper during the internship, I observed that as a journalist I needed to be patient and hard working. I recognized that a journalist had to be assertive and independent before he/she could achieve higher heights in the journalism trade.

I also reckoned that it was very easy for politicians and other identifiable groups and interest groups to corrupt journalist. The journalism trade is now full of gullible people with a shameful claim that it is a calling for them to become journalists. They are always ready to sell their reputations, if there are any for a pittance. This sorry state of journalism, I believe is creeping so fast in media fraternity.

In reference to the ills of journalism, I constantly strived so hard to avoid occasional traps that would have otherwise destroyed my aspirations as a journalist. But there was always the better side, and I enjoyed every bit of it. Clearly, journalism is full of fun because you got to meet with interesting people in the society including politicians and other important people like business executives.

Challenges

In every trade there are occupational challenges, journalism as a serious profession comes with a baggage that that every journalist must work to defeat. Indeed, I encountered several challenges that were so daunting nonetheless, they were not insurmountable. Sometimes I took certain decisions that latter seemed precarious and destructive, but thanks to patience and critical thinking. I was always able to resolve matters that averted horrible conditions.

Conclusion

I argue that journalism students must be given the chance to do their internship at a newspaper; they will have more resources and more people to learn from, However it would be better for them to start at a fairly smaller newspaper, unless they are highly talented and more sophisticated.

My experience on a much bigger newspaper (Ghanaian Times) was invaluable though. But I think a smaller paper is more appropriate as a beginner because you work on the desk, designed Pages, cover politics, do movie and concert reviews. 

It is easier that one could become more suitable to get greater responsibilities sooner at a smaller paper. If you are a young reporter going into a large newsroom you will be competing for assignments with veteran journalists. It will be tougher for you to get a big story or hit the front page constantly.

I still think that Ghanaian Times continues to be a place with excellent learning opportunities. Therefore I recommends to Jayee University College, if given the chance once more, they should send their students there for higher learning.

http://www.myjoyonline.com/

The duty of the media is to inform the people

http://www.myjoyonline.com/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.

Honorable Dr. Hanna Louisa Bisiw, Deputy Minister for Water Resources. Works and Housing, was adjudged ‘The Minister of the Year’ 2009 by a Tema based radio station Adom FM at Tema in Accra on Tuesday.




Hon. Dr. Bisiw was declared by Adom FM as the Minister of the year as a result of scientific polls that were conducted by the FM station’s Morning Show through votes from text messages that were collated by the Charter House



The Honorable Minister was followed by the former Health Minister Dr. Sipa Yankey and the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Kwasi Ahwoi respectively.



The polls were confirmed when the host of the morning show, Akuaba Gyasi was contacted. He said that the results were expected by the end of 2009, but due to some difficulties they were only received this year





The worst minister, according to the polls was Honorable Alhaji Mubarak Muntaka, the former Minister for Youth and Sports.



When Times spoke to the Hon. Bisw she could not help but expressed her utmost joy. ‘First of all I would want to say a big thank you to the almighty god because he is the one who elevates anybody and makes us who we are, without him we are nothing so god the glory.’ She said.



She thanked all loved ones and all Ghanaians including those in abroad who saw something in her and made this achievement possible. Dr. Bisiw also appreciated the unique opportunity given to her by the people of Ghana and the president to serve them.



The Honorable Minister was asked whether she expected anything like that ‘No no no, because I was not competing with anyone, the job that was given to me was what I did. And I did it with the best of my ability and tried to achieve excellence.’ She responded.



Dr. Bisiw expected that the government should be able to deliver better than they did last year. She believed, as a government, they had been able to do a lot of things and the economy was stabilized this year.



She was happy about what the various Ministries were doing, such as the Agric Ministry, and the works and housing ministries. She hoped that this year would be a year of implementation of the policies and programs that they worked on last year.



Dr. Bisiw enjoined all Ghanaians to rally behind the president regardless of their political affiliations because this was one Ghana. She urged Ghanaian to continue to support the government so that they could deliver the better Ghana agenda that they promised.