A renowned media consultant, Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng has bemoaned the new practice where media houses refused to publish stories from some corporate organisations which do not advertise with them.
According to him, such practice is undermining the growth of businesses which need the support of the media to thrive in the challenging Ghanaian economy.
Mr Gyan-Apenteng added his voice to the practice after several complaints from some companies in the country at the rebranding of Spyghana.com to Newsghana.com.gh in Accra.
He appealed to media houses which engaged in the practice to stop for the sake of the growth and development of the businesses operating in the West African second largest economy.
Mr Gyan-Apenteng who was the guest speaker however admitted that some news items from some of the companies are promotional, as journalists you have the ability and skills to edit them to suit their editorial policies.
The Veteran journalist used the occasion to warn media owners that; “in the next five years many news organisations will fall because of the stiff competition in the media industry”.
Ghana with a population of 24 million people has over 200 radio stations, over 15 newspapers and magazines, and several online media organisations including blogs.
Mr Gyan-Apenteng also noted that accuracy is one things that will enable some media houses stay above the competition.
In his welcome address at the short but impressive ceremony, the Managing Editor of Newsghana.com.gh, Roger Agana explained the rationale behind the name change.
He stated: “Customers used to complain about the word spy in the company’s name. So, I took a bold decision some months ago to rebrand it to Newsghana.com.gh” to enable the website promote the country.
Within two months after the change of name, the website recorded over 6,000 likes on Facebook, over 2,000 followers on Google+, and 8,000 hits per day, Mr Agana touted these as some of the immediate successes of the rebranding.
He used the opportunity to thank corporate Ghana including MTN, Tigo, ViVo Energy Ghana, and Penplusbytes for their continued support.
Reviewing the newly branded Newsghana.com.gh later, Mr Agana indicated that the website focuses on business, sports, entertainment, general news, foreign, among others.
At the event fraternity messages were read by Senior Manager Corporate Communications of MTN Ghana, Mrs Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, Director of Corporate Communications and CSR of Tigo Ghana, Mrs Gifty Bingley, Corporate Communications Manager at Vivo Energy Ghana, Shirley Tony Kum.
They urged the website and other media organisations to always double check their facts before publishing.
African Eye News.com
