• About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Photo Gallery
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Citi TV
Friday, March 31, 2023
Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Showbiz
  • Coronavirus
  • Infographics
  • Livestream
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Showbiz
  • Coronavirus
  • Infographics
  • Livestream
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana
No Result
View All Result

When you silence one journalist, you silence dozens of voices – Portia Gabor

January 29, 2023
Reading Time: 3 mins read
Mrs. Portia Gabor speaking at UniMAC-GIJ Main Auditorium, North Dzorwulu Campus

Mrs. Portia Gabor speaking at UniMAC-GIJ Main Auditorium, North Dzorwulu Campus

ShareShareShareShare

The 2022 GJA Journalist of the year and broadcaster, Portia Gabor, has reiterated calls for state institutions and governments to ensure journalists are protected, in the face of growing attacks on the media.

According to the broadcaster, journalists play a critical role in the country’s affairs by disseminating information and representing the voices of the underprivileged in society, thus, an imperative to have laws and regulations to protect the activities of journalists.

Mrs. Gabor was speaking at this year’s maiden public lecture organised by the Directorate of Research, Innovation, and Development (DRID) of the fully-fledged University of Media, Arts, and Communication, (UniMAC-GIJ), at the North Dzorwulu campus, on the topic,  “Journalism, Innovation and Development: Frontiers for advocacy and social change.”

“Since 2016, 44 countries have adopted or amended laws and regulations which threaten freedom of expression and press freedom online,” she said, adding that; “Years of experience has taught me that when you silence a media person, you are silencing dozens of ordinary Ghanaians whose voices are heard through that one journalist.”

However, she expressed concern over the kind of reward journalists receive regarding salaries, indicating that “some journalists here in Ghana have meagre salaries, others not paid at all.”

“As big tech companies and social media platforms are battling to get a huge chunk of global digital advertising spending if there is a time to protect journalism it is now,” the adjudged science and health reporter stressed.

Midnight call for help

Portia Gabor has become the face of several advocacy and social change reports, notable amongst them is her report titled, “Wealth for health”.

She recounted a 12 midnight WhatsApp call for help by a lady who needed GHC164,000 to undergo surgery. When all attempts to raise the amount proved futile, “she decided to seek help from an unlikely ally, the media, to help save her life.”

“As journalists, our core roles of informing, educating, and entertaining the public are evolving,” said Mrs. Gabor.

Janet was racing against time, as a price tag had been placed on her life. She either pays or dies.

“As a journalist, I did not have that amount of money in my bank account, but I had a pen, notebook, and computer, and with the power of the media and the help of the public, I knew that combining these together could work some magic,” the TV3 news anchor said.

The report on Janet’s predicament touched the hearts of viewers, who donated willingly to support her surgery. According to Mrs. Gabor, less than one week after the report, a total of GHc150,000 was raised for Janet’s surgery.

Attendees react

Gloria Azumah, a final-year student of UniMAC-GIJ, said the lecture was insightful because she learned that journalists should at all times pursue stories that will impact society and transform the lives of individuals.

“We [journalists] need to take advantage of the digital tools and devices like Google Maps, satellite imagery, and so on so that we can use them to verify certain information we get,” said Gloria.

“I learned that as a journalist when covering stories about people with disabilities, focus more on the positive than their condition,” another attendee, Etornam Barbet, remarked.

In his closing remarks, the Acting Rector of UniMAC-GIJ and Chairman of the Event, Professor Eric Opoku Mensah, praised Mrs. Gabor for her dedication to the profession with diligence and people-centeredness, describing her as an embodiment of “ideal journalism.”

“So through her work, we see journalists being seen as firefighters who are being called upon, when there is a flood, they’re being called upon to intervene in something that the police or other appropriate institutions are to be concerned with,” Prof. Opoku Mensah said, adding that “through Mrs. Portia Gabor’s work, she’s redefined what impactful journalism is about.”

Professor Eric Opoku Mensah, however, bemoaned the decrease in the enrolment figures of journalism students over the period. He cited, for instance, meagre salaries received by journalists as accounting for such development, yet indicated that “if journalists do their work well, they get the needed recognition and climb so much higher than they ever imagined.”

He, therefore, urged students and media practitioners to emulate Mrs. Gabor’s journalism, which will make people see them as “saviours” of society because if they come to them with their stories, they will get positive results.

Source: Emmanuel Kwarteng
ShareTweetSendSend
Previous Post

Over $130bn needed annually to bridge Africa’s infrastructural gap – Bawumia

Next Post

It’ll be difficult for my wife to bounce back – Husband of Yellow Sisi Waakye seller [Video]

Related Posts

General

Osudoku Senior High Technical School appeals for infrastructural support

March 31, 2023
Business

We’re not introducing GH¢500 coin; ignore contrary claims – BoG

March 31, 2023
News

Closed season should include all fisher groups – Canoe Council replies Mahama

March 31, 2023
Business

Beige Bank collapse: Witness accuses Nyinaku of taking bank’s $200k illegally

March 31, 2023
Business

Chinese investors set to build largest sugar producing factory in Ghana

March 31, 2023

Doctors refusing postings to Bono Region – GHS

March 31, 2023
Next Post

It'll be difficult for my wife to bounce back - Husband of Yellow Sisi Waakye seller [Video]

TOP STORIES

Ricketts-Hagan reiterates Minority’s decision to vote against new tax bills

March 31, 2023

We’re not introducing GH¢500 coin; ignore contrary claims – BoG

March 31, 2023

We’ll force govt to cut down on frivolous expenditures, taxes – Ricketts-Hagan

March 31, 2023
Load More
ADVERTISEMENT
Citinewsroom – Comprehensive News in Ghana

CitiNewsroom.com is Ghana's leading news website that delivers high quality innovative, alternative news that challenges the status quo.

Archives

Download App

Download

Download

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Photo Gallery
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Citi TV

© 2021 All Rights Reserved Citi Newsroom.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Showbiz
  • Coronavirus
  • Infographics
  • Livestream
  • Videos

© 2021 All Rights Reserved Citi Newsroom.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT