In recent years, Ghana’s media landscape has been marred by sensationalism, misinformation, and partisan bias. What has caused this gradual shift? What are the causes and consequences of this trend, and how can it be reversed?
Examining “Sensationalism”
Sensationalism is the use of exaggerated, emotional, or provocative language and images to attract attention and influence public opinion. It often involves distorting or omitting facts, appealing to prejudices and fears, and creating controversy or scandal.
Sensationalism is not a new phenomenon in Ghana media, but it has become more prevalent and pervasive in the digital age.
Sensationalism poses some challenges and risks for the media industry. One of these challenges is the use of exaggerated, misleading or emotional headlines and content to attract attention and generate clicks.
Rise Of Social Media and Monetisation of “News” Stories
Sensationalism is not a new phenomenon in journalism, but it has been amplified by the advent of social media platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube.
These platforms allow anyone to create and share content with millions of people, without any editorial oversight or ethical standards. They also reward content that generates more engagement, such as likes, comments, and shares, regardless of its quality or accuracy.
Often, the political leanings of media owners can influence the editorial stance of the news, leading to a slant in coverage that aligns with their personal or corporate interests.
The X platform started a revenue-sharing model that rewards premium users with a payout if they reach a certain number of impressions. This incentivizes users to “mine” impressions in their posts by posting “controversial” and sometimes misleading posts to boost numbers.
This has also created a competitive and lucrative environment for media outlets, news “influencers” and journalists, who are under pressure to produce more content, faster and cheaper, to keep up with the demand and expectations of their audiences.
In this context, sensationalism becomes a tempting strategy to attract more eyeballs and revenue, at the expense of credibility and professionalism.
This has lead to:
- The erosion of public trust and confidence in the media, as people become more skeptical and cynical about the information they consume.
- The spread of misinformation and disinformation
- Distortion of public discourse and opinion, as sensationalized content appeals to emotions rather than reason, and creates polarization and division among different groups and communities.
- The marginalization of important and relevant issues, such as development, governance, human rights and social justice, which are overshadowed by sensationalized topics such as scandals, controversies, and celebrities.
The “Politicisation” Of News Media
Some media outlets in the country are owned or affiliated with political parties or actors, compromising their independence and objectivity.
Often, the political leanings of owners can influence the editorial stance of the news, leading to a slant in coverage that aligns with their personal or corporate interests.
This can manifest in various ways, from the selection of stories to cover, the framing of issues, and even the omission of certain facts or perspectives.
The consequences of the politicisation of news media are far-reaching. It undermines the role of the press as the 'Fourth Estate', a watchdog for democracy, and erodes public trust in media institutions.
It also hampers informed decision-making among the populace, as people may not have access to unbiased information necessary to make educated judgments on political matters.
Curbing "Sensationalism"
To curb sensationalism and promote responsible journalism in Ghana, several measures are needed. First, there should be more regulation and self-regulation of the media industry, with clear codes of conduct and sanctions for violations.
Second, there should be more education and training for journalists and media practitioners, with emphasis on ethics, standards, and professionalism.
Third, there should be more public awareness and media literacy campaigns, with emphasis on critical thinking, fact-checking, and civic engagement.
Fourth, there should be more support and incentives for media outlets that produce quality and credible journalism, with emphasis on public service, diversity, and accountability.
The issue of sensationalism in Ghanaian news media is a multifaceted challenge that requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders. With the monetisation of "sensationalism", especially in social media, it will be hard to curtail "outrageous" news stories and to separate the real news from the sensational ones.
But media houses and journalists need to continue to adhere to ethical standards, for the public to demand accountability, and for leaders to create an environment that supports responsible journalism.
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