By Dr Albert Anani-Bossman (Directorate of Research, Innovation and Development, UniMAC-IJ)
A new international study has revealed that journalists across Africa are operating under significantly higher levels of political, commercial and personal pressure compared with their counterparts globally.
The findings were presented during a guest lecture webinar at the University of Media Arts and Communication by Norwegian media scholar Terje S Skjerdal, as part of the Worlds of Journalism Study.
“In the countries we studied, pressure is not limited to politics alone; it cuts across commercial interests, newsroom dynamics and even personal relationships,” Prof Skjerdal noted.
The study, which surveyed more than 30,000 journalists across 75 countries, found that journalists in several African countries face higher levels of political interference, safety risks and professional constraints than those in Europe and North America.
Countries such as Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zambia and Sierra Leone recorded above-average political pressure, while South Africa emerged as an exception, with conditions comparable to Western democracies.
Journalists across the continent also reported growing concerns about surveillance and hacking of communications.
Beyond digital threats, the study highlighted serious safety issues within newsrooms, including cases of sexual harassment, which were reported to be two to three times higher than the global average in some African countries.
Progress and gender representation
Despite these challenges, the study noted progress within the profession, particularly in gender representation.
Female journalists now account for 46.5 per cent of the global media workforce, up from 33 per cent in the 1990s. However, representation in senior management positions remains limited in many African countries.
Strong focus on development journalism
A key finding of the study is the distinct orientation of African journalism towards national development.
Unlike in many Western countries, where the media focuses primarily on a watchdog role, African journalists are more likely to prioritise social cohesion, peace and development.
“This nation-building orientation is much stronger in African countries than elsewhere,” Prof Skjerdal said.
Ethical concerns and public trust
The study also pointed to ongoing ethical challenges, including the persistence of “brown envelope” practices, commonly referred to as soli, in Ghana.
However, it noted that South Africa stands out as a country where such practices are largely rejected.
On a positive note, public trust in journalism appears to be improving across many countries in the Global South, contrasting with declining confidence levels in parts of the Western world.
Call for broader representation
The lecture formed part of a collaborative series organised by UniMAC’s Centre for Global Education and Collaboration, the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Development, and the School of Journalism and Media Studies.
Prof Skjerdal expressed hope that Ghana will be included in future phases of the study to provide a more comprehensive understanding of journalism in West Africa.
