Managing Ethical Dilemmas under Stressful Economic Circumstances among Journalists in Northern Ghana

Abstract

This article explores the management of ethical dilemmas in stressful economic circumstances among journalists in the three Northern Regions of Ghana. It analyses the experiences of journalists during difficult ethical moments. In-depth interviews were conducted with a total of 30 working journalists, drawing 10 from each of the three northern regions. These are the Upper West, Upper East and Northern Regions. The study revealed that in practice, rather than working with the normative ethical framework defined by the codes of ethics of the Ghana Journalists Association, journalists are influenced by context-based pragmatism and their conduct is very much influenced by economic realities of satisfying basic needs. Again, the study revealed that most Ghanaian journalists understand the idealism of ethical norms and are very much aware of the GJA code of ethics, but see the practicability of the code as problematic. We recommend that the GJA increases its advocacy role on improving the working conditions of its members. It should also facilitate continuous professional development programs on media ethics in the changing media landscape. Improved working conditions and continuous professional development programs can assist its members in managing ethical dilemmas in stressful economic and social circumstances.

Keywords

• ethical dilemmas
• ethics
• ghana
• journalism
• stressful economic circumstances