'Ghana in the Eyes of God': Media ecology and the Anas journalistic investigation of Ghana's judiciary

Abstract

In September 2015, investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas revealed covertly gathered audio-visual evidence of judicial corruption in Ghana. We contextualize the journalistic investigation that resulted in what became known as the 'judges scandal' in media ecology, emphasizing the importance of digital technologies to the investigation. From a discourse analysis of media reportage, we argue that public focus on the human agency implicated in the investigation is unmatched by conversations regarding the impact of new communication technologies that facilitated the investigation. We suggest a conversational expansion to consider ramifications of new digital communication technologies for social power relations in Ghana, and the potential for holding public office holders to account. By highlighting communication technology as a factor, we direct attention to a potential area for intervention by way of journalistic activity and civil society capacity building in Ghana.