The lives of thousands have been lost around the world as the ripples of the Covid-19 pandemic reverberates across the globe, bringing robust economies to their knees and putting almost every sector, including the media, in distress. Now more than ever, the need for information has become pronounced, but the news media industry is also facing an existential crisis: revenues are down, budget are being slashed and staff numbers are have been cut.
However, this pandemic provides an opportunity for new and creative ways of gathering, reporting and producing the news and a chance for journalism to reinvent itself.
Working from home
This pandemic has transformed the practice of journalism. Working from home is now becoming the new normal signaling a departure from the practice of assembling in a physical newsroom always to work on stories or broadcast the news.
News anchor and editor at JoyNews Israel Laryea, has been doing this job for over 20 years. He has turned a corner in his living room into a make-shift television studio, something he never imagined would happen in his lifetime.
“In the studio you’re used to doing things in a certain way," Israel says. "Here at home you don't have all the equipment that you have back in the studio. I have to do a lot of the things that the sound, lighting and camera technicians would do.”
Louisa, Israel’s wife does his make-up to prepare him for the flagship JoyNews Prime program he anchors. His daughter, Samantha is in charge the prompter on the show at home.
The need to adhere to the social distancing protocols has become extremely necessary especially after it emerged that workplaces had been identified as hotspots of the disease. Acting General Manager of GHONE TV Nana Aba Anamoah said the safety of their staff was paramount from the onset.
She, and many show producers and hosts of television and radio programs have resorted to the video conferencing apps Zoom and Cisco Webex to share ideas with colleagues or interact with panelists.
“It’s a very great innovation – the Zoom, because sometimes you invite people to the studio and you want the interview to be crisp. 2 or 3 minutes maximum. Zoom allows that and the person doesn’t have to drive all the way to the studio only to speak for that short period,” Nana Aba Anamoah told Joy News' Araba Koomson.
Benard Avle of Citi FM agrees. He is excited about the fact that the pandemic has forced media managers and journalist to explore new ways of reporting the news.
Benard said: “I can bring in four guests from all over the world via zoom. They do not need to drive and come to the studio at 9pm. COVID has helped me to get better panelists…”
Revenue losses and lay offs
With dwindling revenues, comes the inevitable but painful decision to lay off staff, and putting a freeze on hiring new people. But not all organizations are prepared to let their staff go. Some have directed employees to go on extended leaves whilst others, although relatively smaller, say laying off staff was not an option, given the prevailing circumstances. Chief Operating Officer of the Multimedia Group Ken Ansah thinks the government should step in to support the media in this difficult season.
Mr. Ansah explains: “If giving tax breaks to media houses will help, fine…if it’s a lump sum that government wants to provide for the media that will also be great or combination of these options."
On his part, CITI FM’s Bernard Avle believes tax breaks, rather than a bailout for the media industry will be more practical in supporting such businesses.
“Because what unemployment does to the economy is worse than what not paying taxes does,” he says.
Covid-19 has introduced an interesting paradox, never in the history of humanity has the need for news and information been so important and never before has the news media faced such a crunch which painfully inhibits the performance of this fundamental necessity of journalism.
Latest Stories
-
AAAG calls for strong policy support to boost vehicle manufacturing in Ghana
5 minutes -
2025/26 GPL: New season to start on September 12
13 minutes -
‘Will these girls wait till 18?’ – Justice Mensah defends keeping sexual consent age at 16
15 minutes -
GOC to commemorate Olympic Day on Saturday
16 minutes -
‘It’s a disgrace!’ – Baba Rahman slams poor pitch conditions in Ghana, calls for urgent action
21 minutes -
Amasaman OlympAfrica site will be developed for use – GOC President
29 minutes -
We are not pursuing a rigid exchange rate target or a predetermined band- BoG Governor insists
33 minutes -
GSMA, mobile industry call for strengthened action to advance child online protection in Africa
34 minutes -
Don’t slash judiciary budget – Justice Bright Mensah appeals to Parliament
36 minutes -
BoG expresses commitment to a flexible exchange rate regime – Asiama
40 minutes -
NSA releases PIN Codes for 132,393 prospective graduates for 2025/2026 service year
48 minutes -
Deloitte to hold CFO Transition Lab in August 2025
51 minutes -
I turned down Mahama’s NHIA Board Chair offer – Bagbin
52 minutes -
Focus on Sickle Cell Foundation to hold national forum and free testing in Winneba on World Sickle Cell Day
56 minutes -
Simeone brings the best out of you – Partey hails Atletico Madrid boss
1 hour