Journalism must prioritise public interest over attention — Kwesi Pratt

Veteran Ghanaian journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr has cautioned media organizations and reporters not to equate journalism to a competition for attention. In his address at the 77th anniversary symposium of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in Accra, Pratt, who is also the founder of Pan African Television, emphasized that journalists’ primary responsibility is to ascertain what the public needs to know.

He stressed that in the digital era, the focus should be on accuracy and verification rather than merely generating attention. Pratt argued that speed should not come at the expense of precision, and being the first to publish a story does not necessarily mean it is the most significant or accurate. He urged the media to uphold professional standards and resist pressures from the fast-paced digital environment.

Pratt highlighted journalism's crucial role in Ghana's political and democratic development, emphasizing that media has been an active participant in shaping public consciousness since the country's struggle for self-determination. He underscored the importance of the constitution in guaranteeing press freedom and accountability while cautioning against reckless press freedom without responsibility.

Pratt also critiqued the influence of ownership, financing, advertising, and political affiliations on editorial autonomy, criticizing the practice of using social media popularity as a basis for employment, which he believed undermines professional journalism standards. He called for media establishments to reconsider such criteria and urged media institutions to reassess the representation of various segments of society in news coverage, advocating for a more balanced approach that includes the voices of ordinary citizens beyond moments of disaster.