Media and politics: investigating government interests, ownership influence and media independence in combating corruption in Ghana

The media plays a crucial role in democratic societies by promoting transparency and holding power to account. However, the media’s ability to function independently has come under scrutiny with increasing concerns about government and political influence on editorial content. This study, through the lens of media capture theory, investigates the relationship between government interests, ownership influence and media independence in Ghana, offering insights into their implications for democratic accountability and corruption mitigation. Using a mixed-methods approach with data collected through surveys and interviews and analyzed thematically, the findings reveal a substantial government interest in the media, primarily aimed at covering corrupt activities. The study reveals that media owners’ political affiliations significantly influence editorial decisions, with journalists working in politically affiliated media feeling pressured to align their reporting with the owner’s interests. Despite the importance of media independence, challenges such as financial constraints and threats persist. The study concludes that the interconnections between government interests, ownership influence and editorial independence significantly undermine the media’s role as a democratic watchdog. Further, this study recommends interventions such as establishing clear policies to delineate editorial decisions from ownership influence, strengthening regulatory frameworks to curb government overreach, and supporting independent media through sustainable funding mechanisms.