Manasseh Azure: Ghanaian Media Falling Short in Nation-Building

Veteran freelance and investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has weighed in on the state of journalism in Ghana, offering a candid assessment of the media’s role in national development.

Speaking on the Ghana Se Sen Morning Show on Lawson TV/Radio, Manasseh expressed a mixed verdict on whether the media is doing enough to contribute meaningfully to nation-building.

“Somehow yes, and somehow no,” he said, pointing out that while the media continues to play a central role in governance and communication, its full potential is yet to be realized.

Manasseh acknowledged the media’s historical significance, stating that in the past, “some people used journalists as catalysts to become presidents,” and during periods of military rule, “the media was the mouthpiece during the coup d’états in the country.” He added that government, both then and now, relies heavily on the media to communicate with the public.

However, Manasseh was quick to highlight that the evolution of the media has come with both opportunities and challenges. “Nowadays, the cost of doing journalism has been lowered compared to the old days,” he noted, referencing technological advancements and easier access to platforms.

Despite this, he lamented that the current media landscape is often saturated with political content. “When you open your TV and radio set, it’s all about NPP and NDC — not tackling pressing issues in the country.”

He stressed that the watchdog role of the media is crucial to Ghana’s progress. “If journalists are to do their work well, corruption would have been reduced and government won’t be incurring some unnecessary costs,” he said. For Manasseh, the press has a responsibility to go beyond partisan politics and serve the interest of the nation.

Touching on press freedom, he admitted that “the freedom we have today is different from the olden days,” but cautioned against assuming that things are now ideal.

He rejected the notion that journalism standards have completely dropped, attributing the perceived decline partly to political interference. “Politicians who own media houses influence the editorial direction, and that contributes to the factors that have made journalism standards sometimes drop.”

He also pointed out the dilemma many journalists face when working under politically aligned media houses. “If you are a journalist and you are working at a politically affiliated station, you can’t feel free to talk about pressing matters in government if the station supports the sitting government,” he said.

Despite the challenges, Manasseh commended the resilience of veteran journalists who “have passed through a lot and are still doing it,” encouraging younger media practitioners to remain steadfast and professional.

He reflected on the missed opportunities: “We could have been doing more than what we have done.”