The role of journalism in Ghana's democratic journey has been crucial. Since the country's return to democratic rule in 1992, the media landscape has undergone a significant transformation.
The 1992 Constitution, which devotes an entire chapter to media activities (Chapter 12), enshrines press freedom, liberalisation, pluralism and diversity of the media as cornerstones of media practice. This legal framework has created an enabling environment for media development.
The proliferation of media institutions is, of course, a testament to the media's ongoing contribution to the country's development.
Ghana today boasts more than 490 radio stations, more than 148 television stations (analogue and digital), more than 5,000 newspapers and magazines and an estimated 20,000 online media platforms. The establishment of media platforms is supported by Article 162(3) of the Constitution, which explicitly states:
"There shall be no impediment to the establishment of a private press or media; in particular, there shall be no law requiring anyone to obtain a license as a condition for establishing or operating a newspaper, magazine or other medium for mass communication or information."
This provision underscores the importance that the framers of the Constitution attached to freedom of the media. It is this legal underpinning that has enabled the media to play the unofficial role of the fourth estate and play a key watchdog role in the governance and development of the country.
However, the question still remains unanswered: is journalism a vocation or a profession? This question remains a subject of debate among practitioners, academics, media experts and the general public. Importantly, with the growing number of media platforms and the sharp increase in the number of people who identify themselves as journalists, the debate on whether journalism is a profession or a vocation needs to be revisited in the hope that it can be resolved once and for all.
The evolution of journalism in Ghana
According to experts, before journalism became a structured field of study in Ghana, many practicing journalists learned on the job. Aspiring journalists worked in newsrooms, radio stations and television studios under the tutelage of seasoned professionals who taught them the art of news writing, reporting and broadcasting.
According to historical accounts, this apprenticeship system was the main mode of training before formal journalism education became widely available. It should be noted that some of the most experienced and best journalists were not trained on the job.
In contrast, many universities in Ghana today have specialised faculties that offer courses in journalism and media. This expansion reflects the growing recognition of the role of the media in a democratic society. As a result, individuals entering the field now have the opportunity to receive formal training before beginning their internships.
In order to formalise its membership, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has made a clear distinction between on-the-job training in relation to those who have acquired journalistic skills through several years of practice within and those who have acquired academic knowledge to become journalists as one of the criteria for who can become a member
To further understand this issue, Mr. Bright Blew, former GJA General Secretary and a journalism veteran with more than 40 years of experience, who agreed with the definition that a journalist is
"Someone who works to gather information in the form of text, audio, or images and compile it into news form to disseminate to the public. Separately, he or she may analyze and comment on news content."
He supported the claim that,
"The definition has undoubtedly become more complicated due to the ever-increasing importance of trusted information in a digitalised world. Journalism plays a key role in creating truth and trust in what is happening around us - be it politics, good governance and democracy, human rights and justice, and not least technology. A journalist simply cannot be a master in all areas of human endeavour, but he or she certainly needs a noticeable knowledge through personal effort to undertake an informative and educational process to help establish the facts and get to the truth."
Mr. Emmanuel Amoako, former deputy editor of the Daily Graphic, a veteran with more than 45 years of experience in journalism, said journalism has become a profession in which anyone who can write is considered a journalist, even without formal training.
He disagreed with this assertion and insisted that formal education was necessary.
He acknowledged that there had been a few exceptions in the past, namely Mr. Kofi Baduwho did not sit in a journalism class, yet was an exceptional journalist.
But he stressed that there are deeper aspects of journalism that cannot be learned on the job alone.
"One has to sit in a classroom to understand the basic principles." He added that learning in the classroom helps shape the mindset and prepares aspiring journalists for the realities of the profession. "For me, journalism is a profession," He concluded.
Mr. Dave Agbenu, the outgoing editor of the Ghanaian Times, said journalism can be described as a vocation as well as a profession because regardless of one's educational background in any field, one can practice journalism. "The difficulty is where to draw the line between the profession and the professional journalist."
He explained that academic education and on-the-job training are not the same thing because on-the-job training teaches journalists the specific style and skills of writing a media house
He stressed that it is very important for every journalist to go through this process, which he described as the foundation of the journalistic profession.
Dr. James Asante, a lecturer at UNIMAC said that, one must go through a thorough training and acquire the necessary skills before practicing journalism. "When I entered the industry, the reality on the ground was very different. Yes, journalism is a profession, but we have to distinguish between a vocation and a profession. Journalism involves the process of gathering information, processing it and presenting it with the target audience in mind. You are trained in how to research, gather information and create stories, so you come out of the experience fully prepared."
As for those who have no formal education but are still involved in journalism, many have received some form of on-the-job training. They have been trained directly in various newsrooms, especially in newsrooms. This includes learning how to develop story ideas, submit news stories, understand what news is, use proper writing techniques, and use the camera to capture news content...
"So in that sense I agree with you that journalism can be a profession as well as a vocation. However, I have always been of the opinion that one must have the necessary education to be able to practice journalism professionally."
Hook, a freelance journalist, sees journalism as a profession. "I don't work just for money - although money is important - but to serve humanity. I think about my stories even when I cook for my children." She said.
She described journalism as one of the few professions where there are no closing hours. "You are still learning new ways of writing from your older colleagues. It's a profession where the learning never really stops," She added.
Although he has the required qualifications, Dzifa believes that in-house training is necessary to improve and improve in practice. "It's one of those jobs where you're constantly on the lookout - hunting for new ideas or learning new techniques, and you become passionate about it," she explained.
Philip, a journalist with more than 25 years of experience, agreed with Dzifa in describing journalism as a vocation rather than just a profession. I never attended a formal journalism school; instead, I trained on the job, driven by a passion for writing and exposing injustices in society. "Journalism is what I eat, sleep and wake up to," He said. "It offers me a different perspective on life and deepens my understanding of issues. It's my passion and almost every day I am still learning and adapting to the evolving dynamics of the profession."
A profession involves formal education, training, and a recognized qualification (Oxford English Dictionary; Wilensky, 1964), whereas a vocation is a passionate calling or sense of purpose, often pursued without formal credentials (Oxford English Dictionary; Palmer, 2000).
I believe that journalism can be considered both: a profession that requires skills and structure, and a profession driven by a deep passion to inform and serve the public.
Finally, I think journalism in Ghana has evolved from an apprenticeship-based practice to an academic discipline with structured learning. However, the debate on whether it is a vocation or a profession remains unresolved. While some consider journalism a profession that requires passion, dedication and commitment beyond academic qualifications, others believe that formal education and certification are necessary to maintain professional standards.
FIIFI NETTEY, Media consultant
Theghanareport/gnews.cz - GH
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