Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has called for formal conditions of service for journalists, arguing that newspapers and other media organisations struggle financially because journalism is a public good that cannot easily generate profits.
Speaking in an interview with Joy News, Mr Bagbin said journalism should not be treated purely as a private business simply because media organisations are established by private individuals or companies.
“You can’t make money in journalism. That’s why all the print media and the rest are always struggling to survive,” he said.
He added that many media organisations would have collapsed without financial support from charitable individuals.
“If not because of the grace of charitable people, many of them by this time would have folded up,” he said.
Mr Bagbin also disclosed that he had supported several media organisations financially, including outlets whose publications criticised him.
He recalled sponsoring Kenneth Agyei Kuranchie, the journalist and publisher of the Daily Searchlight newspaper, despite being on the receiving end of his criticism.
“I used to sponsor Kenneth Agyei Kuranchie, but you tongue-lash me,” he said.
The Speaker maintained that the financial difficulties facing newspapers reinforced the need for a more formal framework to support journalists and improve their conditions of service.
