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Research Publications (Arts and Design)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/214

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Journalism

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Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    From the classroom to the African newsroom : how journalism education can bridge the gap between the classroom and the shrinking newsroom
    (Informa UK Limited, 2024-01-01) Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame
    Throughout the development of journalism, several groups have made efforts to gain access to voice and advance specific agendas. The current evolutionary phase of journalism has witnessed the democratization of the origination and distribution of journalistic content and has propelled unparalleled content diversity and interactivity and a transition from communality of audience membership to individuality. This unprecedented phase has also brought on certain challenges to journalism as a practice and business, some of which are revenue loss to digital giants, misinformation, dwindling trust in mainstream media, shifting eyeballs to digital platforms and the withering of size and influence of mainstream news outlets. Consequently, journalism graduates now enter a job market that is largely low paying, is increasingly mediated by technology, is rapidly converging, and is experiencing a change in work cultures. In the midst of the rapid evolutions, one of the major concerns is how journalism and media studies schools can respond to this rapidly transforming environment for journalism practice. Through the autoethnography method of enquiry, this paper, thus, reflects on some of the current trends and makes proposals as to how journalism training schools can respond to current realities.
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    Assessing safety of journalism practice in Ghana : key stakeholders’ perspectives
    (Informa UK Limited, 2023-12-31) Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame; Braimah, Sulemana
    This study sought to use the self-reporting method of survey as well as key informant interviews to investigate the depth and spread of the problem. A total of 115 respondents took part in the survey. Additionally, eight interviews were conducted with key stakeholders. The study found that the most common infraction was verbal abuse. Colleagues, police, political fanatics, politicians, security operatives and government officials, were among the top perpetrators of safety violations against journalists. A sizeable portion (albeit fewer) were dissatisfied with their workplace safety provisions and minimal confidence in the concern of their employers for their well-being. About half of respondents indicated their media organisations did not make provisions for safety gear for covering potentially dangerous beats. Many of the respondents thought that the posture, attitude and actions of key state actors, law enforcement agencies as well as their own association (GJA) concerning their safety were unsatisfactory. The study recommends that the government ensures the security and safety of journalists and media organizations. Media organizations must ensure a safe and toxic-free work environment through codes of practice, policies, and enforcement; and journalists become familiar with the various types of safety breaches and corrective measures that can be taken.
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    Safety of journalists from a gendered perspective : evidence from female journalists in Ghana’s rural and peri-urban media
    (University of the Free State, 2023-12-13) Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame; Asuman, Manfred A.K.; Ayim-Segbefia, Mary Selikem
    This study sought to explore the safety risks female journalists working in Ghana`s rural and peri-urban media encounter while doing their work, how safe they feel and how they are coping with safety breaches. Thirteen semi-structured interviews with female journalists employed by Ghanaian broadcast media outlets in rural and peri urban areas were undertaken. Guided by Braun and Clark’s (2006) six steps for qualitative data analysis, interview transcripts were thematically analysed. It was found that physical and emotional security threats; poor working conditions were the main threats to female journalists working in Ghana’s rural and peri urban media. While there are generally bad working conditions, some participants believe that men receive more benefits and opportunities for professional growth than women. Compared to their male peers, females are occasionally ridiculed and refused training and professional opportunities. When there are safety violations, employers generally offer little assistance. Female journalists cope with violations and insecurities by self-censoring, avoiding working during specific hours of the day, and steering clear of reporting conflicts, politics, and elections as a safety measure. The study recommends that to avoid maladaptive actions by journalists, media organisations address the safety needs of their female journalists. Journalists themselves should look out for personal security initiatives to enhance their skills. 
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    Putting forward sustainability as a model for journalism education and training
    (Informa UK Limited, 2024-01-01) Booker, Nancy; Mutsvairo, Bruce; Baliah, Dinesh; Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame; Holt, Kristoffer; Tallert, Lars; Mujati, Jean
    African journalism practice presents unique opportunities and challenges that require journalists to be equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge, and values to engage in sustainable journalism. Training institutions play a critical role in ensuring that journalists are not only professionally-ready to execute their mandate but also that they can safeguard and promote ethical values in their everyday work. Some of these values include “truth telling, independence, objectivity, fairness, inclusivity and social justice” (Gade, Nduka, and Dastger 2017, 10). Africa, like other regions of the Global South, has several journalism training institutions that provide an opportunity to challenge “hegemonic epistemologies and ontologies of Western-centric journalism studies” (Mutsvairo et al. 2021, 993). In the context of this submission, the present study investigates the current state of sustainable journalism in Africa. We examined data based on a syllabi analysis of journalism programs in Kenya, South Africa and Ghana to appraise what role sustainable journalism education and training could play in Africa. Findings show that efforts are already in place across select learning and training institutions but also point to profound gaps in the curriculum, pedagogy and resources needed to prepare journalists for sustainable journalism.