Media Ownership and Content of News; Comparative Study of News Bulletins of State and Private Owned Stations GTV and TV3 Networks

Abstract

This research work investigates on how ownership influences news contents and to ascertain to which extent audience can perceive ownership influence on news contents of and Tv3 networks and Ghana Television (GTV). The study attempts to find out implications of news credibility and objectivity whether the two stations are credible and objective in news contents to their target Ghanaian audience and weather owners of these media influence news content in any ways and to know how objective and credible news bulletins contents are presented to viewers. In carry out this study, questionnaires and content analyses coding schedules were used to gather information from respondents. findings indicate how news are presented by the two stations, GTV as a state own stations presents news contents on parliamentarians, politics and governments activities, its expected of GTV to give more prominence to social and human interest issues however TV3 network as a private own stations presents news that focus on social and human interest, not limiting its contents to political activities. Data further reveals that audience can perceive commercials and political influence above news contents from both stations. The study recommends among other that, Media practitioners should consider the pen not sword in news reportage. Reporters should stop considering brown envelopes but attention should be iInpulse towards ethics governing journalism and Media practitioners froln editors to reporters should ensure that the interests of the owners are not often taking high precedence in their news coverage and reportage.