SECTOR 2

The media landscape, including new
media, is characterised by diversity,
independence and sustainability.
2.1 A wide range of sources of information (print,
broadcasting, internet, mobile phones) is accessible
and affordable to citizens.
Ghana’s media landscape is characterised by diversity, and a wide range of print,
broadcasting, internet and mobile sources exist.
Accessibility to the various media platforms varies, with radio being the most
accessible and affordable. Newspapers are unaffordable for the masses.
Accessibility also varies based on location, with urban areas having multiple
sources. In rural areas, however, information sources and relevant content are
limited. Farmers in rural areas, for example, are unable to get all the information
they need, except occasionally through Farm Radio.
“In rural areas, they say they need to get information for their livelihood
improvement.”
Print
Several print media publications exist in the country. Government owns four
newspapers: the Daily Graphic and The Ghanaian Times, which are both daily
papers, and the weeklies, The Mirror and Weekly Spectator.
Privately owned papers include The Dispatch, Accra Daily Mail, The Ghanaian
Chronicle and The Daily Guide.
There are a number of newspapers that produce small print runs, and cater
specifically to radio stations – which are more accessible to the general public.
Their content is thus included in radio media reviews.
The cost of newspapers is high – between 1.50 and 3.00 Ghanaian cedis (US$
0.45 and 1.35), and is not affordable for most Ghanaians. The revised daily
minimum wage for 2013 (set in May 2013) is GH 5.24 (US$ 2.38).
Because radio stations often “cannibalise” or scavenge news from the
newspapers, accessibility to this news is enhanced, and most people gain their
news from radio.
According to a 2012 publication, newspaper circulation figures for the larger
papers in Ghana are as follows:

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AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER GHANA 2013

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