By Richmond Acheampong
Journalism in Ghana is not a profession for the faint-hearted. It is a daily gamble between conscience and convenience, truth and tolerance, courage and compromise. At the 29th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards Ceremony held at Manhyia Palace, the Chief Justice of Ghana, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, delivered a statement that should resonate deeply with every media practitioner in the country: “Journalism, like justice, is not a profession of comfort but one of service, sacrifice and stewardship”. At first glance, these words might seem a ceremonial nod to journalistic virtue, but they encapsulate a profound truth about the moral and operational realities of journalism, particularly in the Ghanaian context.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s assertion is both aspirational and diagnostic. By likening journalism to justice, he underscores the ethical gravity of reporting: journalists, like judges, wield influence over public perception, social cohesion and democratic accountability. Both professions demand unwavering adherence to principles in the face of personal risk, public scrutiny and institutional pressure. Service implies prioritizing the public interest above personal gain; sacrifice signals the inevitable compromises and dangers journalists endure; stewardship reflects the responsibility of guiding society toward informed decision-making.
Yet, in Ghana today, this ideal collides with a complex and often unforgiving media landscape. Journalists operate in an environment marked by financial precarity, political pressures, ethical ambiguities, and the disruptive influence of digital technology. These realities test the extent to which the profession can live up to Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s lofty standard.
Service in a Commercialized Media Environment
Service, as Justice Baffoe-Bonnie envisions it, demands that journalists pursue the public good even when it conflicts with personal interest or editorial convenience. In Ghana, however, the commercialization of media has increasingly redefined the boundaries of service. Media houses are under constant pressure to generate revenue, often prioritizing clickbait, sensationalism, or politically aligned content over investigative rigour. While Ghana boasts a vibrant press with hundreds of private and public outlets, the economic model sustaining this diversity is fragile. Advertisers, rather than audiences, frequently determine news priorities, creating subtle, but significant, pressures that can compromise the integrity of reporting.
Despite these challenges, many Ghanaian journalists continue to embody service. Investigative reporting on corruption, environmental degradation and human rights violations, though often underfunded and labour-intensive, demonstrates a commitment to informing the public and holding power to account. Yet, such service is rarely comfortable. The risks of retaliation, legal intimidation, and even physical harm remain high, reminding us that sacrifice is inseparable from the service ethic.
Sacrifice and the Perils of Truth-Telling
Sacrifice is perhaps the most tangible link between journalism and justice. Judges sacrifice personal ease to uphold law; journalists risk safety, career stability and social approval to uphold truth. In Ghana, this is starkly evident in cases where journalists expose corruption, human rights abuses or governmental malpractice. Threats of lawsuits, regulatory penalties, and even physical intimidation are not uncommon, particularly in politically sensitive reporting.
The digital age has amplified both the risks and the rewards of journalism. Social media platforms democratize information dissemination but also expose journalists to online harassment, reputational attacks and misinformation campaigns. The modern journalist, especially in Ghana, often navigates a dual battlefield: traditional threats from powerful interests and virtual threats from a volatile online public. Sacrifice, in this context, extends beyond physical danger to mental and emotional resilience, a reality too few in the global North fully appreciate when reflecting on Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s pronouncement.
Stewardship in a Fragmented Information Ecosystem
Stewardship, the obligation to guide society through accurate, insightful, and ethical reporting, is perhaps the most aspirational element of the Chief Justice’s assertion. In Ghana, this principle is under constant strain. The country’s media ecosystem is vibrant but fragmented. Citizen journalism, radio talk shows, and online blogs proliferate alongside traditional newspapers and broadcast stations, creating both opportunity and challenge.
On one hand, this pluralism enhances democratic discourse and fosters accountability. On the other hand, it demands that journalists act as filters, curators, and analysts in an environment flooded with unverified information. Ethical lapses, whether motivated by expediency, political bias or personal gain, can erode public trust, undermining the very stewardship journalists are meant to embody. Here, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s comparison to justice is instructive: just as a single judicial error can shake confidence in the legal system, a single ethical lapse can destabilize the credibility of journalism.
The Opportunity in Ghana’s Challenges
Despite the structural and systemic challenges, Ghanaian journalism is at a pivotal moment of opportunity. Technological innovation, increased global connectivity, and rising civic engagement offer tools to redefine service, sacrifice and stewardship. Data journalism, multimedia reporting, and investigative collaborations with international media organizations can enhance the profession’s capacity to serve the public interest. Furthermore, initiatives by professional associations, such as the GJA, to train, mentor, and advocate for journalists strengthen the moral and operational infrastructure necessary to sustain a culture of ethical practice.
Yet, these opportunities must contend with persistent realities: underfunded journalism schools, low remuneration, precarious job security, political interference and the sometimes toxic influence of social media. In this environment, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s vision is aspirational but not utopian; it is a call to action for journalists to embrace their societal role while acknowledging the structural reforms necessary to protect and empower them.
Conclusion
Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie’s assertion that journalism, like justice, is a profession of service, sacrifice, and stewardship is both a moral compass and a mirror. It reflects the ideals toward which journalism should aspire while simultaneously exposing the discomfort inherent in pursuing those ideals. In Ghana, journalists walk this tightrope daily, negotiating pressures from political actors, corporate interests, and a restless public. Their service is real, their sacrifices tangible and their stewardship aspirational.
Yet, for Ghanaian journalism to fully embody the Chief Justice’s vision, structural changes are imperative. Investment in education, stronger institutional protections, ethical reinforcement, and sustainable business models are essential. Only then can journalists not only survive in their profession but thrive in a manner that genuinely serves, sacrifices, and stewards the democratic and social interests of the nation. In essence, journalism, like justice, demands courage, and the courage to act rightly even when comfort beckons.
In a world increasingly tempted by expediency, sensationalism, and polarization, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s words are a timely reminder: truth is seldom comfortable, service is rarely easy, and stewardship is always demanding. For Ghanaian journalism, the challenge is clear, the stakes are high, and the mission remains noble: to inform, protect, and guide the public with integrity, even when doing so comes at great personal cost.
The writer is a journalist, journalism educator and member of GJA, IRE and AJEN
Image by Ghana Journalists Association via Facebook