Political science lecturer and social commentator, Professor Yaw Gyampo, has called out the media for what he describes as ‘sensationalism and irresponsible editorial’ in their reporting on the recent outcome of the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) investigation into the Airbus Scandal.
He expressed concern over how some media houses chose to focus on minor aspects of the investigation, rather than the substantive issues at hand, which he believes undermines the purpose of information and education in nation-building.
In a statement on Friday, August 9, Prof. Gyampo stressed the polarized nature of Ghana’s political landscape, where media outlets often cater to the biases of their audience rather than delivering balanced and objective news.
“In a very polarized body politic like ours, one side of the divide would be interested in highlighting the ‘straw’ aspect of the OSP investigations, while the other would celebrate the substance of the story, especially when it has gone well for them,” Prof. Gyampo noted.
“But really, as a thinking society, which one should we be interested in, and which one should we expect to be reported by the professional media for information and education of the generality of our citizenry?”
He criticized the media’s tendency to ‘major on minor issues’ in their headlines and reportage of significant national matters, using the recent media coverage of the OSP investigation into the Airbus Scandal as an example.
“Often, when you question the sense of objectivity of some media houses in their news reportage and headline captioning, their ‘Pasco’ refrain and response is that ‘you do not control the editorial policies of media houses and news tabloids’.”
“While it may be true that as individuals outside the media fraternity, we cannot control the editorial policies of media houses, I submit without mincing words that, in every right-thinking society, media sensationalism and irresponsible editorialism must be confronted and called out,” Prof. Gyampo said.
He emphasized that media freedom should not be conflated with media irresponsibility, asserting that the public has the right to demand accountability from the media just as they do from politicians.
“Media practitioners aren’t tin-gods and tin-goddesses, and we must demand accountability from them, just as we do from the politician,” Prof. Gyampo insisted.
“We know some (not all) are easily induced financially to be irresponsible; to them, this is purely business, regardless of how illegitimate and nation-wrecking this business may be.”
He warned that the consequences of such behaviour could be detrimental to the nation’s peace and democracy, stating, “When we take money to ship-wreck our peace and democracy, we would all suffer as we would have no peace to enjoy whatever money we may have been paid.”
Prof. Gyampo commended media houses and practitioners committed to nationalism and patriotism, urging Ghanaians to support responsible journalism.
“It must also be mentioned forcefully that, there are also some media houses and practitioners who are committed to the dogmas of nationalism and patriotism, and it is up to us as a people to commend and encourage those who are doing well and to subject those who take money to be irresponsible to strict proofs,” he said.
He issued a stark reminder of the value of peace in the context of financial gain: “Sika y3 mogya, but really, what is the value of money without peace,” he quizzed.