Media practitioners in Ghana have been advised to move with the digital trend in news reporting to enable them still be in active business.
Social media has been identified as one major platform driving a new paradigm in news reportage across Ghana and many West African countries.
Discussing the implications of technology on news reportage, various participants in a program organized by Penplusbytes pointed out the trajectory of the future of news—latest trends in journalism, innovation tools, for newsroom, new technologies and insights that are transforming not only how news is produced but also consumed.
Leading the high panel discussants was the internationally acclaimed author of “We the Media”, Dan Gilmor, who talked on survival strategies and ideas of newsroom, Nnenna Nwakanma , the Africa Regional Coordinator for the World Wide Web Foundation, and Ethan Zuckerman, Director, MIT-Center for Civic Media.
According to the panel, the time has come for Ghana to think about disruptions in the media and how to perfect it with technology.
“Maybe the 16 million Ghanaians online could organize into a new movement or party and shake the political space”, Mr. Zuckerman said adding that it will bring a shift from the focus on partisan politics in the country.
Making a strong case for a paradigm shift, Madam Nwakanma was of the view that “the future of news is mobbing from digital literacy to digital inclusion”
“I pity governments who think surveillance and shutdowns are a way out. There will always be a way around it”, she added.
Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Communications Ato Sarpong cautioned media practitioners that “to remain relevant, you have to keep up with the pace of technology”.
The Strategic Director at Penplusbytes, Juliet Amoah explained that the “Future of News” event is crafted as a lively and interactive conversation that will provide unparalleled insights and predictions not only on how news is produced but also how it is consumed.
“It will map out options for news industry players and relevant stakeholders about survival and growth strategies within the sector”, she added.
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