Developments since 2008 and the Way Forward Negative trends in the last three years • • • Media legislation stalled: There is no progress whatsoever in the development of the Right to Information Bill and the Broadcasting Bill. Public broadcasting reform stalled: There is no development whatsoever in regard to the transformation of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation into a truly public broadcasting service. Journalistic professional standards are slipping: - over-concentration in all media on politics and neglect of most other topics that affect the public; - lack of coverage of local communities; - main objective of mainstream media is to make money; this has resulted in a trend towards sensationalism and the emergence of too many tabloid formats in the print media; - main objective of many smaller media houses is only to disseminate ideological positions; - trading of insults in radio talks shows; - growing number of breaches of codes of professional standards. Positive trends in the last three years • • • 56 More media houses: The increase in the number of media outlets is having a positive impact on - pluralism of voices and views on more diverse channels; - opportunities for journalists to be employed; - degree of professionalism because of more competition in the labour market. Quality of journalism has improved in a number of respects: - journalists are more fearless; - there are more critical and in-depth stories; - more specialization of journalists covering areas such as human rights, women’s rights issues, decentralisation, climate change or the oil and gas industry; - female journalists have moved beyond covering women’s issues only. More training opportunities: The number of training institutions for journalists has increased and there is a wider variety of training programmes at different levels of certification. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER GHANA 2011