Journalists must recognize the complex roles they play in reporting chieftaincy disputes and electoral conflicts. Generalizations of these issues may inflame passions and exacerbate existing conflicts.
William Nlanjerbor Jalulah, Programme Officer under the Media and Good Governance Programme at the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), made these statements while addressing journalists at a three-day capacity training in Bolgatanga.
Mr. Jalulah emphasized the need to distinguish between remote and immediate causes and to understand the intricate dynamics of conflict before reporting.
“In every conflict situation, the dynamics vary. Understand the dynamics before you report on any conflict. There are remote and immediate causes; understand the causes before you report on them. Don’t generalize the dynamics,” he said.
At the same training, media expert Nana Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng addressed journalists on developing compelling journalistic content.
Nana Gyan-Apenteng stressed the importance of understanding target audiences, identifying their interests and needs, and conducting thorough research, which he deemed essential for high-quality journalism. He highlighted that effective research, including analyzing audience preferences, helps journalists create stories that resonate and have a significant impact.
“What we do here is produce features, magazines, programs, and documentaries of a compelling nature. This means outputs that our audiences will find irresistible. They arouse interest because they have human interest stories or are meant to impact development, etc. To achieve this, we first need to understand our audience. Once you identify who you are writing for, you can target your information more effectively. The key is to research—not just the topic, but also your audience. Once that is done, ensure that you include as many fascinating and interesting elements as possible to enhance your story,” Nana Gyan-Apenteng told A1 Radio’s Gifty Eyram Kudiabor.
The training also included practical exercises where participants were divided into groups to brainstorm ideas based on the day’s theme. This hands-on approach was designed to help journalists apply their new skills in real-world scenarios.
The three-day workshop is part of activities approved under the MFWA’s project titled “Promoting Fact-based and Critical Reporting in Ghana’s Electioneering Processes Through Public Interest Accountability Journalism,” which is being implemented with funding support from DW Akademie.
Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1 MHz | Gifty Eyram Kudiabor | Ghana
