Journalists bemoan low salaries
GhanaWeb Feature by Stella Dziedzorm Sogli
“Dziedzorm, what do you want to be in the future?” I was often asked this after a poetry recital, a well-executed performance, or even after posing mind-boggling questions to my granddad which are typically meant for older people.
Unlike others who discovered their passion later in life, I always knew, even at a very tender age, that I wanted to tell stories. I knew I wanted to impact lives through journalism and break various barriers with the help of a microphone.
I also dreamed of driving a Land Cruiser Prado and buying a Mercedes-Benz for my mom.
However, it wouldn’t take long into my career to realize that I might have to rethink this decision or scale back on the things that would bring me fulfillment.
The reason is a universal truth that many in the journalism space can relate to as journalism does not pay, at least not well enough.
More often than not, those who thrive in this profession have either worked for years to climb the ladder or have other sources of income that put food on the table.
I remember clearly that when I started as a student journalist, we were told, “This job does not pay, but it will create opportunities for you.” A statement I found quite problematic, yet it seemed to be the norm, so no one really questioned it.
“You have to fight to get to the top,” I was told at least, that’s what our seniors had done.
People often judge certain journalists for living “flashy” lifestyles, despite the number of years they have worked. This is because, as the saying goes, “everyone knows journalists are not paid well.”
I beg to differ. Hear me out.
For someone whose dream was always to be a journalist, I never saw myself becoming an entrepreneur just to survive. My goal was to get so good at my job that it would sustain me financially. Yet, I have found myself taking on several other jobs just to stay afloat.
It is, however, important to establish that journalists are not lazy. Journalists work just as hard as health professionals.
• Every time you turn on your radio and hear a voice, there is someone at work.
• Every time you see a face on your TV screen, someone is at work.
• Every news story that breaks has a tired but devoted journalist behind their computer, ensuring that the news reaches its intended audience.
Holidays and weekends are like regular working days for the average journalist.
Why, then, should a worker not benefit from their labor?
I always wonder why journalists are treated this way in the country we live in.
As a young person seeking to build a career, I have had to reassess my choices just to be sure this is the life I truly want.
I have seen many journalists seek an escape plan just a few years into the profession. Others merely build their portfolios to move on to better opportunities.
It seems passion is no longer enough.
I am still searching for answers regarding journalism’s low remuneration. Maybe one day, we will hear from employers.
When discussions about money and working conditions arise, so does the question of ethics.
It is crucial to note that once you choose to become a journalist, you must be ready to uphold the ethics of the profession. However, as the saying goes, “a hungry man is an angry man.”
Imagine being a well-known face on TV or radio yet struggling to afford a trotro fare to make it in time for the morning news.
If someone offers you a car in exchange for unethical behavior perhaps to conceal a story, your first instinct may be to reject the offer. But I doubt the thought wouldn’t cross your mind more than once.
This is why managers and employers must ensure that journalists are treated with the highest level of care and consideration. The power in a journalist’s hands can expose corruption and uncover systemic rot in various sectors of the economy.
Many journalists are burnt out and no longer have the zeal to pursue new challenges. Many have become armchair journalists simply because they are not compensated enough, a situation that hinders both individual and organisational growth.
Today, I stand in solidarity with my fellow journalists in demanding better conditions of service and fair remuneration at the very least, for the long hours we work and the crucial role we play in upholding democracy as the fourth estate of the realm.
Pay journalists their worth!
SSD/MA
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