Why poor people should not become journalists - Halifax explains

Media personality and entertainment critic Halifax Ansah-Addo has stated that, if he had his way, poor individuals should not become journalists.

He argued that financial difficulties can make it difficult for practitioners to remain independent in the discharge of their duties.

Speaking on Okay FM, Halifax explained that many journalists in Ghana are generally underpaid, while others are not paid at all.

According to him, this financial vulnerability can make journalists susceptible to monetary inducements from politicians and other influential individuals.

He noted that such payments, commonly referred to in the profession as “soli”, can influence the kind of content journalists produce.

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“Left to me alone, no poor person should become a journalist. Many journalists are financially constrained, and our salaries are not good. ‘Soli’ will influence what you write. Journalists are generally underpaid in this country, and others are not paid at all. The politicians who give these journalists some monetary stipends control them. It is in that context that I am saying that if you are poor and also a journalist, you are not helping,” he said.

According to Halifax, while some journalists may insist that their conscience and professional ethics would prevent them from compromising their principles, prolonged financial hardship can make it increasingly difficult to maintain that position.

He explained that when a journalist is struggling financially and sees colleagues acquiring land, buying cars and building houses, the pressure to improve their own financial situation can influence their decisions and the way they approach their work.

“You will say conscience, ethics, but it does not work. When you are hungry and you are seeing your colleagues buying land, buying cars, building houses, and you say you want to write the right things, it will get to a time you…” he noted.

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