NEWSROOM CONVERGENCE IN GHANA: A CASE STUDY OF KESSBEN MEDIA

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 crossmedia 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.