Knowledge and practices of media ethics by broadcast journalists, a case study of selected radio stations in Cape Coast

Abstract

The broadcast media occupy a significant place in developed and growing democracies worldwide, providing media consumers with diverse entertainment and information products, impacting culture and helping define social reality. There is an increasing global demand for broadcast media. As the use of radio broadcast media increases in Ghana, the concern about the standard of journalistic practice has become a problem. The study investigated the knowledge and practice of media ethics by broadcast journalists in three radio stations in the Cape Coast Metropolis. A qualitative case study, using key informant interviews, observation and focus group discussions was adopted. The study was hinged on the principles of media ethics namely; Utilitarianism, Golden Mean principle, Categorical Imperative and the Pluralistic theory of Value. It was found that though journalists were highly aware of the ethical principles that guide the practice of journalism, their practice do not reflect their knowledge. Also, radio presenters who worked in national and international media houses had a huge influence on the presentation styles of the stations that syndicated their news and programmes. It was revealed that media managers had an undue influence on media content, and that the stations served as the mouthpiece of the institutions that operated them. It recommended that media regulators should ensure that continuous training in ethics is complimented by provision of job and personal security of journalists by media owners and government.