Journalism Left Behind: What Former Journalists Miss Most and Re-Entry Motivations

Abstract

Undergirded by Self-Determination Theory, this study explores what could pull former Ghanaian journalists back into the profession. We argue that passion and real desire for societal transformation drive people into journalism and could serve as a “pull-back” factor. Data was gleaned from 30 former journalists through semi-structured interviews. Qualitative analysis revealed that while most journalists had a difficult time deciding to quit because of passion, some major push factors were poor work-life balance, safety concerns, and unfavorable work conditions, including burnout. We conclude that flexible work schedules, good remuneration, among others, can draw former journalists back into the profession.