Politics and Money Have Taken Over Journalism — Bright Kankam Boadu
Veteran journalist says political influence and financial gain have overtaken truth and integrity in Ghanaian media, weakening its role in national development
- Journalism today is driven more by money than passion or public service
- Political influence has compromised media independence and integrity
- Media is failing in its duty by prioritizing profit and propaganda over truth
Renowned Ghanaian sports journalist Bright Kankam Boadu has raised alarm over the current state of journalism in the country, saying political interference and the pursuit of money have taken over the media space, weakening its role in national development.
Speaking on the Ghana Se Sen Morning Show on Lawson TV/Radio, Boadu expressed deep concern about the direction journalism is heading, stating, “We are not helping enough in nation building.” According to him, journalism has become more about financial gain and political interests than truth, service, and passion.
“The journalism train moving from those days to current days are different,” he observed.
Kankam Boadu noted that past generations of journalists were more driven by a sense of mission, whereas today, many practitioners are motivated primarily by money. “Journalism has reduced to money and not the love for the job,” he said.
He attributed this shift partly to the country’s political system, arguing that it has created a media environment where journalists prioritize financial survival over public service. “Journalists think about money, and it is because of the system that has been influenced by politicians,” he explained.
Kankam Boadu also criticized the quality of programming on many radio stations, calling some of it boring and disappointing. “Sometimes it is boring to listen to some radio stations, and you can’t imagine it,” he remarked, suggesting that many stations are more focused on filling airtime than delivering meaningful content.
Highlighting the importance of media integrity, Kankam Boadu emphasized the role of journalism as the fourth estate of the realm. “The reason the media is the fourth estate is because most of the information, journalists disseminate them,” he said. However, instead of delivering accurate and impactful news, he said the media often chooses sensationalism and shallow content. “Instead of feeding the public the truth, we decide to feed them with chaffs.”
Kankam Boadu made a passionate appeal to media practitioners across the country.
“We have to be truthful and honest to help nation building,” he urged. Without a commitment to honesty and national interest, he warned, the media will continue to lose its credibility and relevance.
“Generally, journalists are failing the nation,” Kankam Boadu concluded.
