Demand change, support non-partisan media - Expert urges citizens

A Finance and media expert, Benjamin Offei-Addo, has called on the citizenry to support non-partisan media outlets and demand accountability from those in authority. 

He underscored the importance of independent journalism in cutting through biased reporting and promoting a new democratic era in the country defined by development, national cohesion and lasting prosperity.

He said with many media outlets currently leaning heavily toward major political parties, the antidote to such a canker should be independent journalism, as a way to cut through the noise.

Mr Offei-Addo was delivering the keynote address at the first international political communication conference held at the University of Media, Arts and Communication – Institute of Journalism (UniMAC-IJ) in Accra last Friday.

The conference, organised by the Centre for Public Discourse Analysis (CPDA), a public and political discourse and communication analysis think-tank, was to cast a reflective view on the nature, scope and future of Ghana’s political communication in the democratic dispensation.

Held on the theme: “A new democratic era: Enhancing civil political discourse for democratic growth”, it was also to offer students and political communication enthusiasts the opportunity to develop insights into contemporary political communication.

It brought together media industry experts who shared diverse insights on topics on contemporary political communication.

Advice

Mr Offei-Addo encouraged Ghanaians to take control of their nation's political future and demand change while also holding themselves to the same standards.

“Demand accountability from those at the top. However, you must also hold yourselves to the same standard,” he said.

For his part, the guest of honour, Dr Paul Herzuah, who is also a lecturer at the UniMAC-GIJ, called for stronger independent journalism and closer examination of media ownership, as the country faces questions of political influence in its media.

Rationale

The Executive Director of CPDA, Prof. Godwin Etse Sikanku, who is also an Associate Professor of Journalism and Media Studies at UniMAC-GIJ said the conference was organised to reflect on the state of political communication and the future of the industry as the nation moves forward in its democratic endeavour.

"Our Democracy needs to be conducted in a civil, decent and respectable way to enhance useful political discourse that leads to efficient policy and ideas to move the country forward," he said.

Prof. Sikanku affirmed that communication was central to politics; a central prism tool around which campaigns, debate and politics take place, which was vital in building and shaping the destiny of the country’s democracy.

“It is, therefore, important for the country, especially politicians, political communication students and enthusiasts to reflect on the nature of our campaign discourse as part of post-election analysis efforts," he said.

“It is important that we continue to advocate for decent, civil and substantive political discourse to enhance the quality of our debate, discourse and democracy," he said.