Gender activist advocates training of journalists in local languages
The Executive Director of Gender Studies and Human Rights Documentation Centre, has called for the exposure of journalists to local languages to be abreast of the challenges that go with the proliferation of the airwaves.
Ms Dorcas Coker-Appiah, who made the call, said it would imbue in journalists the relevant skills and knowledge for effective reporting.
Ms Coker-Appiah was speaking at the closing ceremony of a three-day training workshop for 27 journalists to equip them with the requisite knowledge and skills on women’s rights reporting.
She said the introduction of local languages in journalism institutions curriculum would enhance the understanding of journalists on their critical role in language broadcasting and articulate relevant issues with all seriousness.
She observed that language broadcasting plays pivotal role in influencing perceptions of people on matters of national concern.
Ms Coker-Appiah expressed regret that some local language radio stations treat serious issues with jokes and irrelevant anecdotes.
She asked journalists to focus on analytical reporting, feature article writing, documentary and commentary, particularly on women’s rights issues confronting the nation.
The Executive Director said when journalists demonstrate enough competencies in their profession, it could help address the social, cultural, educational and economic barriers relegating women to the background.
She said when journalists engage in analytical reportage it would dismiss the misconception that the man is head of the household and chief bread-winner, while the woman is a nurturer and care-giver.
Ms Coker-Appiah said it would also change the perception that men should be involved in national and higher level politics, but the woman is better placed at the local level in activities linked to domestic roles.
She noted that family resources are often directed to promote boys’ education at the neglect of girls’ adding, “girls are streamed into less challenging academic tracks”.
Ms Coker-Appiah said there is the need for a paradigm shift and called on the media to help wipe out the notion fact that only men should have access to lucrative careers and control financial and productive resources.
The Executive Director therefore noted that since many local language radio stations were springing up, journalism educators needed to consider revising their curricula to train journalists to better highlight issues of national concern.
Source: GNA