CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

            Background to the Study

In democracies the world over, elections play a very important role. Elections are pivotal such that they deepen and legitimize the government in power. The media has the onus of covering elections impartially and providing a balanced and fair coverage of elections and electoral processes (Akoh & Ahiabenu, 2012). The media play a vital role in every democracy and their importance in politics is indispensable. The Canadian-based International Development Research Centre (IDRC, 2008) for example, posits that the free flow of information is the lifeblood of democracy.

In every election, the media is very important to the electoral process. The media scrutinizes the electoral process to evaluate fairness of the process, efficiency and probity. The media plays a “watchdog” role in that it informs electorates on how effectively governments have performed and help them to account (aceproject, 2020). The media in Ghana has played a pivotal role in informing electorates especially in the build up to elections, during and after the elections.

Particularly, online media has become a potent instrument for deepening democratic values and processes in terms of information dissemination, evaluation and monitoring of electioneering processes in Africa (Fadeyi & Abdulrahman, 2019). Political and electioneering campaigns are now increasingly built around new technology platforms rather than traditional broadcast (aceproject.org, 2020). Social media platforms were used by political parties, candidates and governmental organizations for campaigning and increasing level of awareness. Almost all candidates in general elections use social media platforms to communicate with voters, but the emergence of new political actors because of digitization is something that has occurred in only a

few countries. “Digital media have, however, remarkably increased the volume of political discussion and raised the political interest of the general public” (Chan, 2014, pg 107). Today, established newsroom routines and professional norms are evolving as a result of challenges and opportunities posed by technological convergence. They give special attention to credentialed journalists, who gravitate to online sources in order to cull information into news (D’Angelo & Shaw, 2017).

The media in Ghana has contributed to Ghana’s democratic journey in the fourth republic by way of the coverage they give to elections. Article 42 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana makes it possible for Ghanaians who are eighteen years and above to go to the polls after every four years to elect into office new representatives. Prior to each general election in Ghana, the various political parties embark on campaign trails to convince electorates to vote for them. The mass media comes to play its major role of transmitting information to electorates during this period.. This information is to assess the actions and positions of leaders, as well as influence public approval and perceptions of character traits and prime the importance of certain traits (Iyengar et al., 2008; Shaw and Roberts, 2000).

Citizens in democracies the world over rely increasingly on the media as a primary source of political information (Mughan and Gunther 2000). Given the growing internet culture in the country, it is not surprising that many citizens are turning to online media for news during elections. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have now provided different platforms for reporting elections, adding on to the myriad of already existent tools that are available to cover the news in times of elections (Akoh & Ahiabenu, 2012). This is because people consume news faster these days than some years ago and ICT provides the platform for media outlets to get news to their consumers faster, thereby the emergence of several online media platforms. Thus, as

technology advances, there is a shift from the traditional media such as print, radio and television to new media such as social media and other online technologies. Not surprisingly, a number of online media have emerged to meet this demand.

As Dumisani Moyo has argued “the advent of new communications technologies such as the Internet and mobile phones has ushered in a new era of political communication where citizens actively participate both in the election campaign and monitoring processes” (Moyo, 2010 p.71). The situation is no different in Ghana as Ghanaians also source their news from online-based new media such as news websites. According to the 2016 Annual Ghana Social Media Report by CliqAfrica Limited and Avance Media, 7,958,675 of the population can be found online (28.4% penetration) in Ghana ranking the country the 47th highest internet user in the world.

The spate at which the number of web pages on the internet is growing exponentially presents users with an unprecedented and unmatched depth and breadth of information which is available to inform electorates about their political choices and exercise their democratic rights (Dewan et al,.2004).

There are several access points through which news is sourced online in Ghana. Among them are two that have gained considerable recognition given their affiliation to two of the most successful media organizations in the country. These are two news portals; myjoyonline.com which is a private online news portal linked to Multimedia Group Limited and graphic.com.gh which is affiliated to Ghana’s leading newspaper, the ‘Daily Graphic’.

            Background of www.myjoyonline.com

Myjoyonline.com is one of Ghana’s biggest online news platforms. Until recently, it was considered as a leader in Ghana’s online news and information delivery. This online platform

provides a one-stop shop for audiences to access information easily and conveniently. The platform is owned by Multimedia Group Limited (MGL) which is a privately-owned media conglomerate. Readers who visit the platform are provided with comprehensive and up-to-the- minute news in categories such as politics, business, entertainment and other issues affecting or relating to Ghana and the African continent as a whole. Myjoyonline.com has incorporated features such as the latest multimedia technologies, from live audio streaming to audio packages, access to videos on some reported news and Rich Site Summary (RSS) content syndication tools. Audios of previously recorded programmes are also made available on the news portals for its readers to access (Sourced from www.myjoyonline.com, 2018).

            Background of www.graphic.com.gh

Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Ghana’s most successful and state media organization owns and operates www.graphic.com.gh. According to Gadzekpo (2007) “Daily Graphic is the most widely circulated newspaper in Ghana and symbolizes a news culture of coverage of officialdom because it is read by policy makers and opinion leaders.” The company publishes the foremost and most widely circulated newspapers in Ghana. The company publishes a chain of newspapers such as Daily Graphic, The Mirror, Graphic Sports, Graphic Business, Junior Graphic and Graphic Showbiz. The flagship publication, Daily Graphic empowers their audiences and consumers everywhere with authentic information. It is mandated to inform the public on subjects of national discourse. News should be detailed, representative of all views as well as objective, proportionate and comprehensive.

Daily Graphic has specialized sections for politics, business, foreign news, women’s affairs, features, regional news, metropolitan news, education and sports (Agyekum, 2014).