Abstract:
Evidence submits that journalists and other media workers are faced with threats and
brutalities due to the nature of their job. The problem is recurring due to the impunity of
crimes against journalists. This study seeks to ascertain whether this assertion is true in the
Ghanaian context using Multimedia Group Ltd as a case study. The study aimed at
investigating the types of acts of physical insecurity journalists at Multimedia often
experience, the perpetrators of the acts, support systems available to them when they
experience acts of physical insecurity and their perspectives on impunity. Through
interviews, data is gathered from five purposively selected journalists from Multimedia
and thematically analysed. The study revealed that journalists of the Multimedia Group
Limited have been threatened, or physically assaulted and verbally abused and the
perpetrators are hardly apprehended. In instances where are apprehended, such
perpetrators are hardly prosecuted. Those in the security apparatus, mobs, political and
government officials are the main culprits of attacks and threats journalists. It was also
revealed that the Multimedia Group Limited provides some support for staff who are
attacked It is suggested that journalists should work in pairs and be given security training
to access threats and be cautious when working. The study concludes that journalists
should be trained in crisis management, assessment and reporting. Finally, journalists
should also be given social protection packages from their employers to cushion them
when they come under attack.
Description:
A THESIS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA
STUDIES, FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES EDUCATION AND
COMMUNICATION, SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE
STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
AWARD OF MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY (COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA
STUDIES) IN THE UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA