Sports journalists in Ghana have been advised to adopt the passion for digital media and be consistent with content going forward to thrive in the profession or stand loosing their jobs.
Mr. Michael Oti Adjei, Head of Digital at Media General said “we live in a media landscape where companies are aggregating, they have websites, social media platforms, television, radio etc. and those of you who would keep your jobs over a certain period are the ones who are able to give value to all those platforms”.
He added that “Today’s journalism world, there are no longer radio, television or newspaper journalists, WE ARE MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISTS. If today you do not think this way, I’m sorry no matter how passionate and energetic you are, you won’t make it”.
Oti Adjei was speaking at the SWAG Betway Sports Journalist Conference in the Eastern regional capital of Koforidua where over 40 sports journalist converged to upgrade themselves and share ideas on the profession as sports journalists.
Participants were told that time has come for sports journalists to redefine themselves as such and that ability to have a big social media presence will very soon influence whether journalistskeep their jobs or not. This is non-negotiable because people have earned more based on their social media presence”.
Mr. Mawuko Afadzinu, head of marketing and communications at Stanbic Bank also reminded sports journalists to master their craft because they operate in a space that has a global appeal and cascade beyond tribe and gender. He further advised sports journalists to influence decisions and actions of sports for results.
President of SWAG Mr. Kwabena Yeboah on his part admonished journalists to invest in their capacity building andnot to exchange their profession for anything because the opportunities enjoyed by generations before today is available for the current if they’re credible and hardworking.
Mr. Yeboah stated that “being a sports journalist is not going to make you a billionaire, however there is no reason you should be poor and wallow in poverty”.
Kwabena Yeboah concluded by reminding sports journalist to always disassociate themselves from the action and stay professionally neutral. He indicated that Sports journalism thrives on humility, readiness to learn, professionalism, integrityand credibility.
The Betway SWAG Sports Journalists which seeks to empower sports journalist and remind them of the ethics, is an initiative of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) in partnership with Ghana’s betting giant Betway.
The Betway sponsored event moves to the Volta/Oti regions on February 26, 2021.
