WAY FORWARD The way forward 1. What were the developments in the media environment in the last three/four years? Positive • New media (especially social media) is becoming stronger, enhancing reporting on communities and events in some communities that would otherwise go unreported. • Most media houses now have an online presence with websites and social media • The increase in fact-checking and verifying of statements, particularly by politicians, has allowed the media to better hold those in power accountable. The increased fact-checking was especially visible during the 2016 elections. • Many more media institutions have emerged • The use of new technologies has improved the way in which media is distributed, i.e., the Daily Graphic has digital applications that you can download to receive news alerts, etc. Negative • The reaction of traditional media to the growth of new and social media has been somewhat negative. Traditional media find themselves more rushed, compromising the quality of reporting. Rather than doing this, traditional media should use this as an opportunity to use the space afforded by social media to work on more detailed, explorative stories. • Ordinary people do not receive the same serious coverage as those in power. “There is a marginalisation of the ordinary people, and if the media is not careful, it could lose the trust of ordinary people.” • The continuous reporting with a focus on personalities rather than on the news itself is problematic. This has also resulted in increased sensationalism in reporting, which contributes to dwindling space for development issues and or stories. • Despite the positive aspects of the growth in new media, it is difficult to trace liability when there are issues, particularly given the potential overlap between what is considered personal or public. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER GHANA 2017 73