What Happened To The Market Place Function of Journalism ?
In one of my Introduction to journalism classes, at my lecturer took pains to explain the roles of journalism to the class. One function of journalism kept me asking questions. After discussing the above five functions of journalism I realised that one of these journalistic functions was not being properly practised by some Media houses in Ghana.
This function I am talking about is the marketplace function. Yes your guess is as good as mine. The marketplace function as discussed in the Introduction to Journalism class simply meant that media houses should provide a platform for the buying and selling or trading of ideas. Under this function of the media, equal opportunity should be given to all persons regardless of their political ideologies, social status and economic status but it appears that is not the case.
This article would use just two out of the numerous political talk shows in Ghana as a case study to analyse the situation. The first being the inside Politics show hosted by Mugabe Maase on power FM. Anybody passionate about radio and for that matter political talk shows on radio would agree with me that, this this talk show does not perform the marketplace function of Journalism. In this show only members of the largest political opposition in Ghana(NDC) are allowed to share their opinions the the show. I am yet to see the Host allowing other members of the society from different political divides to also speak their minds on issues as prescribed by the marketplace function of journalism. This clearly shows the bias of the show, its host and the production team. On this note I dare to say that the "Inside Politics" political talk show hosted by Mugabe Maase does not perform the marketplace function of journalism.
Also another show that is guilty of this is the "Morning Show" of Net Two television. The host of the show is seen not to interview or seek other opinions on issues. I am also yet to see the production team of the show inviting a person that does not belong to the center right ideology to also have their views on an issue. This clearly shows the marketplace function of journalism in this case has been disregarded.
In summary the marketplace function of journalism can only be achieved if TV stations, Radio stations, Print Media houses and online websites give equal opportunity to everyone to trade their ideas. Though some shows like Newsfile and utv’s morning show " Adekye Nsroma" have proven to be practising the marketplace function, that alone is not enough to seek the marketplace function of journalism is properly being performed.
On this note I still ask the million dollar question, What happened to the marketplace function of Journalism?
In one of my Introduction to journalism classes, at my lecturer took pains to explain the roles of journalism to the class. One function of journalism kept me asking questions. After discussing the above five functions of journalism I realised that one of these journalistic functions was not being properly practised by some Media houses in Ghana.
This function I am talking about is the marketplace function. Yes your guess is as good as mine. The marketplace function as discussed in the Introduction to Journalism class simply meant that media houses should provide a platform for the buying and selling or trading of ideas. Under this function of the media, equal opportunity should be given to all persons regardless of their political ideologies, social status and economic status but it appears that is not the case.
This article would use just two out of the numerous political talk shows in Ghana as a case study to analyse the situation. The first being the inside Politics show hosted by Mugabe Maase on power FM. Anybody passionate about radio and for that matter political talk shows on radio would agree with me that, this this talk show does not perform the marketplace function of Journalism. In this show only members of the largest political opposition in Ghana(NDC) are allowed to share their opinions the the show. I am yet to see the Host allowing other members of the society from different political divides to also speak their minds on issues as prescribed by the marketplace function of journalism. This clearly shows the bias of the show, its host and the production team. On this note I dare to say that the "Inside Politics" political talk show hosted by Mugabe Maase does not perform the marketplace function of journalism.
Also another show that is guilty of this is the "Morning Show" of Net Two television. The host of the show is seen not to interview or seek other opinions on issues. I am also yet to see the production team of the show inviting a person that does not belong to the center right ideology to also have their views on an issue. This clearly shows the marketplace function of journalism in this case has been disregarded.
In summary the marketplace function of journalism can only be achieved if TV stations, Radio stations, Print Media houses and online websites give equal opportunity to everyone to trade their ideas. Though some shows like Newsfile and utv’s morning show " Adekye Nsroma" have proven to be practising the marketplace function, that alone is not enough to seek the marketplace function of journalism is properly being performed.
On this note I still ask the million dollar question, What happened to the marketplace function of Journalism?
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