<<Print>>

Stakeholders at a review forum on the role of the media in creating social impact have underscored the need for journalists to shift attention to social issues to accelerate development in the country. They observed that there were a lot of social challenges in the country, particularly in rural communities, that needed urgent attention, but which are often relegated to the background. The participants, therefore, entreated editors and media owners to find space and airtime in their respective news channels to highlight the difficulties people encountered in their daily strive for the basic necessities of life. They mentioned water, food, schools, good roads, health facilities and employment opportunities as some of the necessities that needed to be focussed on by journalists to attract the attention of not only the government but philanthropic organisations and individuals. Workshop The day�s workshop was meant to review and brainstorm strategies to be adopted to support media practitioners in reporting on social issues.� It formed part of an ongoing exercise organised by SEND-Ghana, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), and funded by the Global Partnership for Social Accountability (GPSA). Importance The Country Director of SEND-Ghana, Mr George Osei-Bimpeh, described social issues as bread and butter matters that should be given prominence in the media. �Political issues do not bring anything other than acrimony,� he indicated. Mr Osei-Bimpeh further asked journalists not only to be interested in political and controversial news but to also delve into items that would bring about social impact and change in the society. He explained that his organisation was organising series of training workshops to build the capacity of journalists in reporting on issues related to such areas. Stakeholders at a review forum on the role of the media in creating social impact have underscored the need for journalists to shift attention to social issues to accelerate development in the country. They observed that there were a lot of social challenges in the country, particularly in rural communities, that needed urgent attention, but which are often relegated to the background. The participants, therefore, entreated editors and media owners to find space and airtime in their respective news channels to highlight the difficulties people encountered in their daily strive for the basic necessities of life. They mentioned water, food, schools, good roads, health facilities and employment opportunities as some of the necessities that needed to be focussed on by journalists to attract the attention of not only the government but philanthropic organisations and individuals. Workshop The day�s workshop was meant to review and brainstorm strategies to be adopted to support media practitioners in reporting on social issues.� It formed part of an ongoing exercise organised by SEND-Ghana, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), and funded by the Global Partnership for Social Accountability (GPSA). Importance The Country Director of SEND-Ghana, Mr George Osei-Bimpeh, described social issues as bread and butter matters that should be given prominence in the media. �Political issues do not bring anything other than acrimony,� he indicated. Mr Osei-Bimpeh further asked journalists not only to be interested in political and controversial news but to also delve into items that would bring about social impact and change in the society. He explained that his organisation was organising series of training workshops to build the capacity of journalists in reporting on issues related to such areas.