Abstract:
Journalism practice is experiencing several changes in its operations. Scholars have
studied and attributed these changes to media convergence due to digitisation.
However, in Ghana, media convergence studies are scant. This study, therefore,
explores the practice of media convergence in Ghana using Kessben Media as a case
study. It examines the model of newsroom convergence practised at Kessben Media;
investigates the motivation for the practice of newsroom convergence at Kessben
Media; and analysed the perspectives of journalists on the practice. Employing the
media convergence theory and the multimedia models of newsroom convergence, the
study used observations, interviews and focus group discussions to gather data from
journalistic operations as well as purposively selected journalists in Kessben Media’s
newsroom. Thematically analysed data revealed that Kessben Media’s newsroom
practised a hybrid convergence model that has aspects of both the integrated and cross media models under the multimedia models of newsroom convergence. The study
established that profitability was one of the key motivations for the practice of
newsroom convergence at Kessben Media. Findings also showed that journalists at
Kessben Media share both positive and negative views on the practice of newsroom
convergence. Journalists see the practice as a challenging practice and at the same time
a skill-enhancing practice. The study recommends that management should consult
journalists to have their inputs in the policy framework that would govern the
implementation process to address any form of resistance towards the implementation.
Description:
A thesis in the Department of Communication and Media Studies,
Faculty of Foreign Languages Education and Communication,
submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Master of Philosophy
(Media Studies)
in the University of Education, Winneba.
JULY, 2020