Director of Pan African Television Kwesi Pratt Jnr has criticized newsrooms that recruit journalists based largely on their social media following, warning that the practice risks replacing professional journalism with a race for clicks and popularity.
Speaking at the Ghana Journalists Association’s 77th anniversary celebration in Accra on Wednesday, Mr Pratt said the digital revolution had created an environment where speed, controversy and sensationalism were often rewarded over accuracy and verification.
“The internet rewards speed. Journalism requires judgement,” he said, stressing that being first with a story did not necessarily make it good journalism.
Mr Pratt said journalists must earn public trust through accuracy, fairness, verification and the courage to investigate powerful people.
He also urged newsrooms to give greater attention to ordinary Ghanaians, including farmers, traders, teachers, nurses and young people, rather than focusing mainly on political and corporate elites.
On artificial intelligence, he said the technology should remain a tool for journalists and must not replace human judgement and responsibility.
He called on the GJA to strengthen journalist protection, professional standards and training in digital journalism, while urging media owners to protect editorial independence.
“Journalism will survive. The question is, what kind of journalism will survive?” – he asked, warning against a future where journalism becomes merely a content factory driven by clicks and ratings.
Mr Pratt said the future of Ghanaian journalism must remain anchored in truth, independence, ethics and the public interest.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Ebenezer Madugu