Paul Seneadza, a public relation staff of the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has stated that some journalists need training to enhance their ability to distil and disseminate data.
Speaking on behalf of the GSS, Mr. Seneadza stated that his institution has a well organized structure for engaging with the media. According to him, the GSS consider journalists as ‘essential partners’.
He made these remarks at a webinar organized by the African Centre for Statistics (ACS) at the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The webinar focused on the need to improve relationship between producers of statistics and the media in order to enhance end user experience. It highlighted the significant role that the media plays in the dissemination of data to end users.
Meanwhile, ACS Director, Oliver Chinganya underscored the importance of data in every economy. According to him, data is “critical for planning, decision making, monitoring and evaluation of public policies”.
“The media, therefore, is an essential vehicle to ensure that such data is transmitted and shared with all stakeholders” .
ACS Director, Oliver Chinganya
Media to enhance statistical literacy
Furthermore, Mr Chinganaya noted that the media should “help enhance statistical literacy among citizens with a view to increasing demand”. According to him, this will motivate “governments to begin investing more in data, innovation and technologies for data collection and dissemination”.
Also, he stated that ACS and its partners are ready to support in developing and implementing a user engagement strategy. He revealed that “we have already started with a few countries, and we hope more countries will engage and follow suit”.
Additionally, a Kenyan journalist, Wanjohi Kabukuru, deplored the difficulty journalists encounter trying to access data from some National Statistical Offices (NSOs). According to him, NSOs make it difficult and sometimes impossible for journalists to access official statistics.
As a result, he urged NSOs to be primary sources of data rather than deny access to journalists. He lamented that journalists end up getting the same information from secondary sources instead of getting it from NSOs . According to him, these sources are usually international organizations, to which NSOs furnish data.
“When you give data you control the narrative”.
Importance of user engagement
Similarly, Rebecca Jakeway, ONS-UK’s Communications Advisor spoke on the importance of user engagement. She cited the media as their “most important stakeholder”.
“Our work is worthless if it doesn’t reach the end user. The media has a crucial role to simplify data in a way that the general public can understand”.
Also, Joseph Ilboudo, Chief of Statistical Development at the ACS made a presentation on ‘sample tactics for media engagement in official statistics’ at the webinar. He highlighted the need to “remove barriers to entry and promote a relationship of trust between NSOs and journalists”. He further stated that “ensuring that users get a pleasant, open and informative first experience will pave the way for future engagement”.
The ECA organized the session in partnership with AFRISTAT, INSEE, ONS-UK and PARIS2. It was under the theme “Media Engagement in Official Statistics: How and Why?” A similar webinar targeting French speaking journalists has been scheduled for June 8, 2021.
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