AGENDA 2010 - MENU FROM THE MEDIA
To write or talk about the standard of the media in Ghana today is a source
worry for many friends of the inky fraternity. It is quit a difficult one
because of the vicissitudes of the of the media operations since the 1992
constitution became the “Holy Book” of this country.
Some say it has improved, since they were kept in a “cage” for a long time,
others think otherwise. Well; it depends on where you stand. There are three
basic principles of Journalism that I know of; to educate; to inform and to
entertain but what do we see of the media today? It seems the media is taking us
on a journey in their supersonic News jet (Not the Falcon) without any
destination in mind.
I must admit that despite all the setbacks, there are some very good media
personnel who are doing great work.
If one takes a look at most news headlines it look like some media personnel are
becoming like some Ghanaian movie producers and some preachers of the Gospel;
“Give the people what they want” hence the movies and sermons we see on TV or
hear on radio.
It did not come as a surprise when Dr. Vladimir Antwi Danso sum up his
frustrations by declaring that the media is practicing Media “Terrorism”( I will
want to hear his comments on the 15th -16th and 17th -18th edition of the
Informer News Paper)
We are almost through with the year 2010 and if you take a critical look at the
news that took most of our precious time in the print and electronic media one
will not be far from saying another year has almost been wasted. Some will say
we are growing our democracy, if it is so then we have a very long way to go.
Permit me to send you through memories of 2010 which will make movies in 2010
look like child’s play This is PG18
Greedy Bastards - J. J.
Rawlings
Burning of J. J.’s house - Nana Darkwa
Team B players and hangers on - Dr. Spio
Gabrah
Adventures of P.C and the Fante chiefs - P.C Appiah
Ofori
To go or not to go - Her
Lordship (Georgina Wood)
Not “moulding” Good cases for Court - Betty Mould
Iddrisu
Many ways to kill a cat - Dr.
Kwabena Adjei
War of the foot soldiers - Faceless
Gang
Suarez/ Penalty -
Asamoah Gyan and Suarez
The battle of Atiwa - Anita
De-Souza
Bamba boys versus Azorka boys at Atiwa - NPP and NDC
Cars for all -
Carl Wilson
Nana Addo at Fetu Afahye - Nii Lamptey
Vanderpuye
The MPs ratings - Steve
Mallory
Journey to the Far East “STX” - NPP and NDC
Lamentations of GFA and GOC - Nii Lamptey and Sena
Dansua
Kokooase kuraseni - Kobby
Acheampong
The posters - Nana
Konadu
Changing of names - Nicodemus –
AMA
CDH=cocaine Drugs, Hallucination - Nana Addo and Prez.Mills
The Blockbuster; the Voyage of Yutong, a.ka. Amina- Amina Mohammed and Ghana
Police
Need I write more? If we use at least two weeks to premier this “Bulletins”, how
many days will
be left for us to discuss very important issues like, the State of our health
care system,
Education, Mining and Galamsey operations, its’ effect on our environment,
unemployment,
Almighty sanitation and armed robbery etc….. By the way are we aware of Accra
being an Earthquake area and with the population density increasing, the higher
the risk (read Dr. Nii Kwashie Allotey’s articles in the Mirror). How prepared
are we should it happen?
Everything in this country has two faces- NPP and NDC.
It’s time we give bad news that will deepen the division in this country the
black out it deserves.
Now let all media personnel read this quote together “A journalist is the
lookout on the ship of the state he notes the passing sail, the little things of
interest that dots the horizon in a fine weather. He or She reports the drifting
castaway whom the ship can save. He or She peers through the fog and storm to
give warnings of dangers ahead.
He or She is not thinking of his or her wages or the profits of its owners. He
or She is there to watch over the safety and welfare of those who trust in him
or her”.
Thank you, Joseph Pulitzer for this wonderful advice. Hope it will guide us in
the coming years.
Mamoud Mustapha Suarez.
