CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION
- Background of the study
The emergence of smartphones is changing the way and manner people interact in various spheres of life. It has provided the platform for professionals to connect with business, education, health, communication and social life (Sarwar&Soomro, 2013). The mobile device has become a significant part of social life many individuals can‘t perform their roles without it (Losif, 2010). This is because over the last decade, manufacturers have been designing the mobile device to meet the needs of each class of society (Osazee-Odia, 2015). Smartphones are used interchangeably with mobile devices in this study.
Hill (2010) describes smartphones as mobile devices with special features that allow users to do more than voice calls and send text messages. In essence, smartphones are equipped to assist users to take photos, videos, send and receive emails, take notes as well as access social media sites such as Facebook, twitter, instagram among others through internet connection (Kim & Kwon, 2012).
Research has shown that the additional features and ability to experience technology in different ways on smartphones have informed why many subscribers prefer to purchase them compared to average cell phones. This trend in consumer preference has been attributed to the steady growth of smartphones in recent times (Quinn, 2009). It‘s estimated that there are 1.3 billion smartphones‘ users in the world, particularly in Asia and Africa. It‘s however expected that 550 million mobile subscribers would switch to smartphones in the coming years (Jao, 2017). In
Ghana, for example, the mobile phone subscriber base grew from 30.2 million in November 2014 to 31.1 million as of the end of March, 2015 (NCA, 2015).
The growth in smartphones is because the mobile device has become relatively cheaper on the market. People can easily afford smartphones because it‘s been designed to suit their income and other factors such as dwindling interest in the use of fixed lines. Another point is that, the technology has been improved to serve emerging economies as well (A.T. Kearney Mobile Economy Report, 2013).
Smartphones until recently was the preserve of the elite in society (Ndukwe, 2011). With the growth in smartphones, several professionals have adopted the mobile device because of the ease of use. Businessmen with interest in online trade rely on it to go about their operations. For example, such individuals are able to transact online business on their smartphones through e- commerce apps, access banking services and make payments through the same channel (Ibrahim et al, 2014). Businesses are using smartphones to better serve their client base and maximize profits (Gunnarsson, 2013).
In health, the importance of smartphones can be seen in how practitioners use it to keep records of patients, write reports, render health care to the sick in hard to reach places, schedule and monitor the condition of patients among others (Ventola, 2014). Smartphones have become a tool for improving the quality of health care by medical officials in many jurisdictions (Lee et al, 2015). In Ghana, doctors at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital have adopted smartphones and tablets in rendering health care to the teeming patients that visit the facility. The Ministry of Health has also integrated the use of smartphones into its e-Health strategy which seeks to build
a database of how such innovations could make health care easily accessible to Ghanaians (Barnor-Ahiaku, 2016).
- Role of smartphones in journalism
In the area of communication, smartphones have provided journalists the opportunity to move around while performing their jobs. Smartphones help journalists to easily access stories from locations they are not present there (Mabweazara, 2010). Now journalists are able to write, record, edit and tell stories using their smartphones. In some newsrooms in the United States and Europe, it‘s a requirement for reporters to have smartphones before they are employed (Quinn, 2010; Wenger et al, 2014). Smartphones have given birth to a new way of gathering and producing news stories. Unlike the past where newsrooms needed a crew to cover a story, smartphones have made it possible for journalists to independently report on events from a location single-handedly (Karhunen, 2017). The dual role smartphones play as a private and a specialised tool for journalists, presents new opportunities for the practice, particularly investigative journalism (Poynter.org, 2011). This however requires training and guidance to enable media practitioners understand the distinct opportunities and challenges with this innovation (Quinn, 2012).
- Concept of Investigative Journalism
The power of investigative journalism to challenge the status quo and bring about social change cannot be overemphasized (Mustapha-Koiki & Ayedun-Aluma, 2013). In many jurisdictions, investigative journalism has been the vehicle used to topple corrupt governments, provided evidence of wrongdoing to be punished, shaped policies and set the agenda in political, economic and social issues (Forbes, 2005). However, training of investigative reporters is painstakingly
slow and time consuming. That explains the limited numbers of investigative journalists across the globe (Sullivan, 2013; Burgh, 2008).
There is no single definition of what investigative journalism is. The reason probably is because the news culture determines what the definition ought to be. That notwithstanding, investigative journalism has been defined as an original, in-depth and systematic work of a journalist that addresses societal flaws (Ansell, 2010). This definition exemplifies the key themes stated above that set what investigative journalism is from other aspects of the practice (Stetka & Ornebring, 2013). Those unique elements include the in-depth digging into the subject being investigated; the issue must be of interest to the public, investigative stories must be products of rigorous research and exclusive to the reporter (Suntai et al, 2018).
Investigative journalism goes beyond routine assignments like news conferences, corporate events, scheduled assignments, and natural disasters (Ongowo, 2013). Investigative journalism exposes the weaknesses in society and provides a voice for the powerless (Burgh, 2008). It is also seen as enterprising journalism, which relies on thorough and systematic means to shine light on wrongdoing (Sullivan, 2013). This genre of journalism can be described as the watchdog role of the media (Gilligan, 2011). Rosenstiel and Kovach (2001) see the goal of investigative journalism as a cure to abuse of power in society (Warn, 2003).
Arriving at this goal sometimes comes at a great cost to investigative journalists. They are jailed, attacked or killed while doing their job (Schiffrin & Lugalambi, 2017). In Nigeria, investigative reporters have been persecuted, imprisoned and murdered for performing their duties. Those who refused to allow themselves to be corrupted by governments went into exile (Suntai, 2018).
- Journalism
Investigative journalism is fast evolving with the introduction of new newsgathering tools into the practice. Rosentiel and Bergman (Poynter.org, 2011) argue that innovative tools such as backpack camera, secret video apps and digital audio recorders present its own advantages to investigative reporters when used in the proper manner (Wibbey, 2013). News organisations are now using smartphones to create digital editions for their readers, track their market base as well as provide a platform for their staff to work together (Barsotti, 2014). Smartphones now come with sharper cameras, wireless connections, notepad and audio recorders which journalists rely on to make their work easier. These features are user friendly and much faster (Karhunen, 2017). Such devices have changed the views of some investigative journalists‘ on how to generate content, distribute and how to tell a story (Stevenson & Wright, 2015). Studies have revealed that many investigative journalists are adopting new technologies to enhance their skills (Gearing, 2014; Franklin, 2014).
- Challenges of investigative journalism
Despite the fact that investigative journalism is an important tool for nation-building, it‘s one of the disadvantaged areas in many newsrooms. The challenge the practice faces and the role it plays in bringing about institutional change is well documented (Schiffrin & Lugalambi, 2017). Investigative journalists sometimes face harassment from law enforcement agencies that compel them to disclose their sources or are sued for publishing stories that expose acts of wrongdoing. They are in some instances imprisoned for protecting sources of information (Forbes, 2005). Another challenge has been how they place their lives at risk by operating from unsuitable environment while seeking to expose a wrongdoing (Mustapha-Koiki & Ayedun-Aluma, 2013).
        ACILA-Tiger Eye Project
In Ghana, The Africa Center for International Law and Accountability-Tiger Eye in 2016 pioneered a project of introducing investigative journalists to the use of smartphones in exposing wrongdoing. The selected journalists were new to using the mobile device in their work. The project forms the basis of this study, which is to find out how these investigative journalists are using these skills in their work and what has been the outcome of this training.
ACILA is a research and education, non-partisan, non-profit, and non-governmental organization. ACILA stands for social justice, international law, human rights and anti- corruption. Its mission is ―to fight impunity for international crimes, advocate justice for victims of international crimes and use research and public education to promote African states‘ adherence to international human rights, rule of law, public accountability, and compliance with regional and international instruments‖ (acila.org, p.1).
Tiger Eye PI, on the other hand, is a leading private investigative firm in Africa, noted for exposing corruption in the sub-region. It is run by award winning investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas. Tiger Eye PI has a high reputation for uncovering the unknown. Its mission is to expose wrongdoing in every quarter of society. Its mantra is to ―name, shame and jail‖ those involved in corrupt acts (tigereyepi.org, p.1).
However, there are those who have been compelled to change and accept new innovations in their line of work. Many journalists initially saw the use of smartphones for journalism to mean working independently from filming to interviewing and scripting the story using the mobile device. In other words, reporters assumed they would be overburdened with several tasks while conducting their work on smartphones (Karhunen, 2017). Sometimes these mobile technologies
produce good results, and some sometimes, bad outcomes. The use of smartphones therefore can make the newsgathering process easier for the journalist and difficult when there are technical challenges with the technology.
1.0.7 Use of smartphones as a tool to combat corruption
Corruption has been identified in Africa as one of the major systemic challenges. This is because many constitutions have been crafted in a way that protects the ruling class and affluent than the downtrodden and poor. Ghana is touted as a stable democracy. However, one of the challenges its battling with is the fight against corruption (Afrobarometer.org, 2018). Ghana ranks 78th in the corruption perception index out of 175 countries (transparency.org, 2018). There are concerns that the country risks eroding the gains chalked in good governance and development if the social cancer is not checked. Studies have shown that the influence of corrupt officials could be controlled by the efforts of non-state actors, including the media by exposing wrongdoing and abuse of power (Gyimah-Boadi, 2002; Osborne, 2002). The role of the media, particularly investigative journalism is considered as one of the effective approaches in making the menace unattractive (OECD, 2018).
Studies have found out that mobile technologies could be a major game changer in the fight against corruption (Oye, 2013). It has been described as a useful platform in mobilizing the citizenry to demand transparency and accountability from government institutions (Serrat, 2014). In Nigeria, a crowd-sourced whistle blowing system known as the Trade Routine Incident Mapping System empowered local traders to report border officials extorting monies from them through the use of mobile phones. In Ukraine, a mobile platform which allows sharing of information on international contracts and trade has helped the country to reduce revenue
leakages. Additionally, civil society groups Global Witness, Open Corporates and mysociety have used smartphones as platforms to identify and shine light on corruption (Banning-Lover, 2016). Inasmuch as mobile technologies are fundamental in exposing wrongdoing, there is the criticism that it could be misused and exploited by individuals for their self-interest. The existence of the smartphones as a platform cannot produce results in the fight against corruption, until certain conditions such ease of use and skills to use the mobile device are in place (Adam & Fazekas, 2018). In spite of these difficulties, investigative journalists are trying these new technologies in evidence gathering (Chan, 2017). It is against this backdrop that this study is exploring the opportunities and challenges of the use of smartphones by investigative journalists in Ghana.
- Statement of problem
The practise of investigative journalism is almost non-existent in Ghana. This has imperatively affected the quality of work produced by investigative reporters in the country. Many of the practitioners are poorly trained and ill-equipped in using emerging technologies such as smartphones for investigative reporting (Dotse, 2009; mfwa.org, 2018). Even though the technology exists, many journalists do not have adequate training in tapping into the opportunities the mobile device presents for their work. That‘s why interrogating a project like the ACILA-Tiger Eye programme that aims at equipping inexperienced investigative journalists with the requisite training in using smartphones to unearth wrongdoing is critical.
The advent of smartphones has presented journalists with new ways of doing their work, including using the device to write, record audio, take videos, and edit stories among other functions (Mabweazara, 2010; Quinn, 2010; Wenger et al, 2014; Karhunen, 2017). A few studies
have shown that smartphones as a tool can be leveraged in the fight against corruption (Oye, 2013; Banning-Lover, 2016; Adam & Fazekas, 2018; Chan, 2017). Despite the successes chalked in the use of smartphones in other areas of work, the mobile device has its peculiar challenges and opportunities for investigative journalism in many jurisdictions. In Africa, for example, many investigative journalists tend to gloss over ethical issues when using emerging technologies. In most Western countries, however, rigorous attention is paid to how information is obtained and used. That‘s why it‘s important to explore how investigative journalists in Ghana are using technology in their line of work.
The Technological Acceptance Model argues that, people do not necessarily use an innovation because it‘s available to them, but, how it serves their needs and how easy it is to use it. This study is also interested in whether if investigative journalists are trained in the use of smartphones for their work, whether they use it and how do they deal with the challenges and opportunities the technology presents.
- objectives
This study will examine the role smartphones play in the work of investigative journalists, assessing the potential benefits and challenges.
Specifically, this research will seek:
- To find out the extent to which investigative journalists use smartphones in fighting corruption.
- To find out how the investigative journalists are using the smartphones.
- To find out what the opportunities and challenges are when investigative journalists use smartphones.
- To find out how the investigative journalists overcome the challenges they face in the use of smartphones.
- questions
The following questions will be answered in the course of the study:
- What extent does investigative journalists use smartphones?
- What are their experiences in using smartphones in investigative work?
- What challenges and opportunities does using smartphones provide for investigative journalists?
- Does the use of smartphones pose peculiar ethical dilemmas for investigative journalists and how do they navigate it?
- study
There is substantial evidence of the use of smartphones by investigative journalists in countries like the United States and Europe. The mobile device has been used as a data bank for documenting and sharing information on corrupt acts for remedial action by governments. Some individuals have capitalized on smartphones as a tool to shine light on systemic problems affecting communities. There is, however, scanty information on the use of smartphones by investigative journalists in Ghana. This study seeks to find out how the mobile device is being used by investigative reporters who participated in the ACILA-Tiger Eye project and the ethical constraints they were faced with. In addition, the study will explore opportunities and challenges that come with its use by investigative reporters. This study will contribute to further studies on technology and investigative journalism in Ghana.
- study
This study is divided into five chapters. Chapter one delved into the introduction, background to the study, statement of problem, objectives, research questions and significance of the study.
Chapter two outlined the theoretical framework, related literature and chapter summary.
Chapter three focused on the research design, population, sampling technique and procedure, sample size, data collection methods, data analysis and chapter summary.
Chapter four discussed the findings and data analysis.
Conclusion, recommendations and a summary can be found in chapter five of the study.
- summary
This chapter placed the study in context by providing history, functions, uses of smartphones and why it‘s important to study smartphones in investigative journalism with regard to Ghana. The background also placed into perspective how various sectors are embracing smartphones to enhance their work. The current use of the mobile device in other jurisdictions was also discussed in this chapter. The statement of problem, objectives, questions and significance was also outlined in this chapter.
