Urgent need for GTEC to sanitise journalism education

In recent years, a disconcerting trend has emerged within the journalism and media studies faculties at some universities in the country. 

There is a noticeable shift towards employing individuals with backgrounds in English or marketing, rather than seasoned professionals with advanced degrees and substantial experience in journalism.

This development raises significant concerns about the quality of journalism education and its implications for the media industry in Ghana.

The disconnect between disciplines

It is crucial to understand the distinct nature of the disciplines involved. English, as an academic discipline, primarily focuses on literature, language and critical analysis.

While these skills are valuable, they do not necessarily equip individuals with the specific competencies required for journalism.

Journalism and media studies, on the other hand, encompass a range of specialised skills essential for effective media production, reporting and analysis.

These include media ethics, investigative reporting, multimedia communication and understanding of media law, areas that go beyond the scope of an English or marketing curriculum.

The rigorous training required in journalism is designed to prepare individuals for the multifaceted nature of the media landscape.

Journalists must navigate complex ethical dilemmas, engage in detailed investigative work and effectively communicate through various multimedia platforms.

The expertise required for these tasks is developed through targeted education and practical experience in journalism and media studies, not through general studies in English or marketing.

Implications of non-specialised faculty

The reliance on faculty members without specialised backgrounds in journalism to teach journalism and media studies courses poses a serious risk to the quality of education.

These faculty members may lack the necessary expertise to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the field, which could lead to inadequately prepared graduates entering the journalism profession.

Such a misalignment between educators’ qualifications and curriculum demands can perpetuate a cycle of mediocrity, with graduates struggling to meet the professional standards required in the industry.

The consequences of this trend are far-reaching. Poorly trained journalists can undermine the credibility and professionalism of the media, which in turn affects public trust and the overall integrity of journalism.

Given the critical role that journalism plays in a democratic society, by informing the public, holding power to account and shaping public discourse, the impact of inadequate journalism education cannot be underestimated.

Role of GTEC

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has a pivotal role to play in addressing this issue.

As the body responsible for ensuring the quality of higher education in Ghana, GTEC must take decisive action to ensure that journalism and media studies faculties adhere to rigorous standards of academic and professional qualifications.

It is imperative for GTEC to enforce policies that require faculty members to have relevant advanced degrees and substantial professional experience in journalism.

GTEC should also consider implementing regular audits and evaluations of journalism programmes to assess the qualifications of faculty members and the effectiveness of the curriculum.

By setting clear guidelines and benchmarks for journalism education, GTEC can help institutions align their faculty appointments with the specialised needs of the discipline.

Furthermore, GTEC should encourage universities to invest in professional development opportunities for their faculty members.

This could include workshops, conferences and collaborations with industry professionals to keep educators abreast with the latest developments in journalism and media studies.

By fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement, GTEC can contribute to the enhancement of journalism education in Ghana.

Crossroad

The quality of journalism education in Ghana is at a critical juncture. The current trend of employing non-specialised faculty in journalism and media studies faculties threatens to undermine the effectiveness of journalism training and, by extension, the professionalism of the media industry.

To address this challenge, GTEC must take proactive measures to ensure that journalism programmes are staffed by qualified professionals with advanced degrees and substantial experience in the field.

By doing so, GTEC will not only enhance the quality of journalism education but also contribute to the development of a robust and credible media sector in Ghana.

It is imperative that GTEC acts swiftly and decisively to sanitise the academic space and uphold the standards of journalism education.

The future of journalism in Ghana depends on it.

The writer is a journalist, columnist, PR expert and journalism and media studies lecturer at Christian Service University.

Email: achmondsky@gmail.com