Socio-economic factors affecting journalistic expression in Africa

This study uses qualitative and quantitative methods to content-analyse a sample of mass media, and solicit information (through focus group discussions FGDs) from media personnel in Ghana in an attempt to find out how socio-economic factors affect their performance. The subject of study was coverage of health-related issues in both broadcast and print media. It found that, in general, there was very poor coverage of health issues, qualitatively and quantatively, compared to that given to, say, politics, agriculture, economics and sport. It concludes that, among the topmost impediments to proper and adequate coverage of health-related issues are lack of specialization and professionalism among Ghanaian journalists. But systemic factors such as the state of the economy, lack of financial resources and equipment also adversely affect journalistic performance.