'My Newsroom Poverty Book Is Not Attack but Act of Love for Journalism' – Abdul Hayi Moomen

Veteran Broadcaster and Head of Public Affairs at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Abdul Hayi Moomen, has said his newly launched book, Newsroom Poverty, is not intended to attack the media industry but rather to inspire reforms that will improve the welfare of journalists.
The book was launched on Saturday[August 1], attracting a large audience made up of politicians, heads of civil society organisations, corporate executives, media practitioners, academics, traditional leaders and students.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Moomen acknowledged that some media practitioners might feel uncomfortable with the issues raised in the book or believe he had revealed too much about the profession. However, he stressed that Newsroom Poverty was written out of his deep love for journalism and his desire to see the profession thrive.

He explained that the book seeks to provoke meaningful national conversations on the poor remuneration and unfavourable conditions of service endured by many journalists, with the hope that such discussions would lead to lasting reforms.

Mr Moomen recounted an experience that inspired him to write the book while he was a reporter with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC). He said he had been assigned to cover a press conference organised by the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) during one of its strike actions.

According to him, he was shocked to discover that the salaries the university lecturers considered inadequate were more than five times his salary as a senior journalist. He also learnt that the lecturers enjoyed additional benefits, including an annual book and research allowance of about US$1,000.

He said that experience convinced him that the plight of journalists deserved greater public attention and resolved to document it in a book. However, he delayed the project while he remained an active journalist, eventually completing it after transitioning into public relations about five years ago.

Member of Parliament for Tamale North and Deputy Minister for Roads, Hon. Alhassan Suhuyini, also a Journalist, described Newsroom Poverty as a compelling account that captures the realities and struggles of journalists in Ghana.

He commended Mr Moomen for his honesty in telling the story and expressed the hope that the publication would stimulate policy discussions and practical interventions aimed at improving the working conditions of media practitioners.

A copy of Newsroom Poverty was purchased on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama for GH¢50,000, with the purchase made by the minister during the launch.