Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has called for a formal framework to regulate the conditions of service of journalists, citing the financial difficulties confronting media organisations and the challenges they face in sustaining their operations.
He said the financial struggles of newspapers and other media outlets underscored the need to strengthen support for journalists, whose work serves the public interest but does not always generate sufficient revenue to sustain their organisations.
In an interview with Joy News, Mr Bagbin argued that journalism should not be viewed solely as a commercial venture because its contribution to society extends beyond the pursuit of profit.
“You can’t make money in journalism. That’s why all the print media and the rest are always struggling to survive,” he said.
The Speaker observed that several media organisations might have ceased operations without financial assistance from individuals willing to support their work.
“If not because of the grace of charitable people, many of them by this time would have folded up,” he said.
Mr Bagbin also revealed that he had provided financial assistance to media organisations, including those whose publications had been critical of him.
He cited his support for Kenneth Agyei Kuranchie, journalist and publisher of the Daily Searchlight newspaper, despite the latter’s criticism of him.
“I used to sponsor Kenneth Agyei Kuranchie, but you tongue-lash me,” he said.
His account highlighted the financial pressures facing media organisations and the role of private support in helping some outlets remain operational.
Mr Bagbin maintained that the difficulties confronting the industry made it necessary to establish a more formal framework for journalists’ conditions of service.
His call brings renewed attention to the financial sustainability of media organisations and the need to ensure that journalists have appropriate working conditions to perform their public service role.
