ABSTRACT

This study broaches a conversation on ethnic media and journalism in Ghana by asking whether a case could be made for ethnic media/journalism, focusing on Fafaa Radio (Fafaa), a private commercial FM station in Dzodze, Ghana. The study occurs at the backdrop of apparent disquiet about the communication of ethnic or tribal matters in Africa’s public spaces because of its potential or evidenced-based implications for divisiveness and conflicts. Using in-depth interviews with key purposively selected media practitioners of the station and document analysis, the study addresses issues relating to Fafaa as an ethnic media outlet. The study occurs within an interpretative analytical approach underpinned by sociological imagination and normative considerations about professionalism in local and national contexts. The argument is that whilst Fafaa largely fulfils the characteristics of ethnic media, it is debateable to say it practises ethnic journalism since the practices are almost analogous with the conceptualisation of community media by the regulatory body, the National Communication Authority (NCA). The analysis further suggests that the orientation of Fafaa as potentially ethnic, serving an Ewe community, influences the practices and professionalism of the station’s journalists. The study concludes that conceptualisation and education are needed to legitimise ethnic media.

摘要

这项研究通过询问是否可以为民族媒体/新闻业辩护，展开了关于加纳民族媒体和新闻的对话，重点是加纳Dzodze的一家私人商业FM电台Fafaa Radio（Fafaa）。这项研究发生在对非洲公共场所的种族或部落事务的交流感到明显不安的背景下，因为它对分裂和冲突的潜在或基于证据的影响。通过对该电台主要有目的的精选媒体从业人员进行的深入采访和文件分析，该研究解决了与Fafaa作为民族媒体出路有关的问题。这项研究是在一种解释性分析方法下进行的，该方法以社会学想象力和地方和国家背景下有关专业精神的规范性思考为基础。有观点认为，尽管Fafaa在很大程度上满足了民族媒体的特征，但是说它实行民族新闻是有争议的，因为这种做法几乎类似于监管机构国家传播管理局（NCA）对社区媒体的概念化。分析进一步表明，法发亚作为潜在的族裔，为母羊社区服务的倾向会影响电台的记者的作风和职业素养。研究得出结论，需要概念化和教育来使民族媒体合法化。分析进一步表明，法发亚作为潜在的族裔，为母羊社区服务的倾向会影响电台的记者的作风和职业素养。研究得出结论，需要概念化和教育来使民族媒体合法化。分析进一步表明，法发亚作为潜在的族裔，为母羊社区服务的倾向会影响电台的记者的作风和职业素养。研究得出结论，需要概念化和教育来使民族媒体合法化。