|
Media training and capacity building on government's
agenda
Accra, Feb. 18, Ghanadot/GNA
- Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister-designate for Communications,
said on Wednesday government was contemplating the
establishment of a fund to be administered by the National
Media Commission to train and build the capacity of
journalists and media houses in general.
He said the media were the only arm of government that is
made to fend for itself. The other arms of government - the
legislature, the judiciary and the executive - are all
supported in a way.
Mr Iddrisu said this when he gave his closing remarks at the
opening of a Media Roundtable on the establishment of a fund
called: "West Africa Media Development Fund" being
established by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA),
a non-governmental organization with support from Free
Voice, a Netherlands based organization devoted to the
promotion of media development, pluralism and freedom.
The discussion brought together editors and managing editors
of newspapers, radio stations and television networks across
West Africa.
Mr Iddrisu said the idea of establishing a media development
fund was morally imperative since it would contribute to the
vibrancy in the media not only in Ghana but also across the
sub-region.
He suggested that the MFWA also spoke to the ECOWAS
Commission to get additional support since the media fund
was a laudable.
Prof. Kwame Karikari, Executive Director of MFWA, said a
major and critical factor to deal with in terms of media
development was access to credit to help develop and grow
viable media enterprises.
He said the absence of credit for the media had resulted in
the limitation on advancement in professional and quality
standards, erosion of editorial independence and
susceptibility to political and other influences.
These handicaps constrain growth resulting in weakening
public access to media, lack of capacity for legal defence
against legal persecution and others.
"The threats to the survival and sustainability of the
pluralist media industry pose severe dangers to the
advancement and growth of democracy and hamper the media's
effective role in promoting national development
objectives," he said.
Prof. Karikari said economic threats were a common enemy to
media development in Africa and there was the need for a
major intervention to support economic viability and growth
of the media in the sub-region.
"The principal objective is to seek ...your contribution to
the realization of a business venture that aims at
strengthening one of the central foundations of democracy
and economic and social progress - that is media pluralism,"
he added.
Mr Bart Dijskra, Director, Free Voice, said his organization
was committed to media development and was particularly
conscious about the need to help media become independent
financially.
"Free Voice aims at improving journalism in terms of quality
reportage," he said.
Mr Dijskra said the fund was likely to start operating this
year.
Mr Edetaen Ojo and Mr Kwame Kuffuor, Project coordinators
for the West Africa Media Development Fund, presenting a
feasibility study report to participants said surveys
conducted showed that without donor support most media
organizations would not be sustainable in a long term.
GNA
|
