Somali journalists demonstrate against an article appearing in the British paper The Guardian calling them corrupt, in capital Mogadishu October 18, 2012. A journalist holds up a picture of the article's author Jamal Osman (R). REUTERS/Feisal Omar (SOMALIA - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS)
Government and political parties’ relationship with the media today cannot be said to be the best.
If it had been terrible under previous administrations, particularly the Jerry Rawlings and his military and civilian dispensations, and optimal under the JA Kufuor administration, it doesn’t appear to have particularly been growing in the last couple of years.
The perception out there is that there is waning relations between the media and the government, on one hand, and the media and NPP communications machinery, on the other.
It is equally true that the situation might be getting worse, unless both government and party develop strategies to redeem the lost ground.
Of course, there has been an improvement, for instance, in communication technologies that facilitate access to information faster to journalists and newsrooms.
But those who lead government PR machinery must admit that more needs to be done in deepening relations and interactions between the media and those in possession of vital information in the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
The Daily Statesman commends the Ministry of Information for the initiative to improve relations with the media, and to build the capacity of state PROs for effective delivery.
Sustaining this initiative is certainly in the interest of government and the governing NPP, as they seek to effectively keep the public informed about what the government is doing.
Gripes
Some concerns need to be brought to attention of those in charge of government communications as they seek to make it more effective in using the media to carry their message across to the public.
There are times that some important programmes coincide, putting unexpected pressure on the journalist and the media house he or she represents in terms of expeditious movement and production of the news on time.
Also, in situations where journalists need some time to discuss, interview or crosscheck information, the good PROs, suspecting that media personnel may be chasing them for ‘soli’, confuse the serious ones with the paparazzi, and abandon lawful duty of satisfying the media.
Any serious PRO or politician can understand how such little things can attract bile, with unfortunate political consequences for government and the flow of unimpeded information.
Politicians and governments must understand that journalists are messengers who send out good and bad messages, depending on circumstances that may not be entirely their fault. That is why media strategies of any serious government need regular overhaul.
Building PROs’ capacity
The Daily Statesman therefore shares the vision of government in running a training programme for public relations officers in the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as a means of addressing capacity gaps among state PROs.
This is very critical in the light of the challenged support government may be having on the ground and the need to tell the rebound story through emerging initiatives like the new Youth Development Policy, recent logistical and mechanisation support for farmers across the country and the unfolding 4th World Teak Conference.
As the Information Minister noted, the idea is relevant and key at a time the ordinary people need encouragement away from the gloom and doom being preached by opponents of government on account of the global socio-economic crisis.
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