Media
“Everything Was Scripted” — Sannie Daara Contrasts BBC’s Research-Driven Journalism With Ghana’s Media Culture
Everything you read on air, you write it. So everything that we hear them saying has been written
By By: Roberta Gayode Modin·
Former BBC journalist and football administrator Ibrahim Sannie Daara has revealed that virtually everything broadcast at the BBC was thoroughly researched, written and rehearsed before going on air, describing the experience as one of the most transformative periods of his journalism career.
Speaking on Kafui Dey’s interview show, Sannie Daara said his training at the BBC exposed him to a level of editorial discipline that differed significantly from practices common in many Ghanaian newsrooms.
According to him, all new recruits underwent intensive training at the BBC’s journalism college before they were allowed to appear on air.
“You go there for one month, you learn everything from scratch,” he said.
Sannie Daara explained that presenters were required to write and script virtually everything they said on air.
“Everything you read on air, you write it. So everything that we hear them saying has been written,” he stated.
He added: “Everything is scripted. It’s written properly, rehearsed. Even sometimes the improvs, the name. So everything is scripted.”
The veteran journalist said the BBC’s editorial process was driven by research, accuracy and strict production standards, with producers wielding considerable authority over programmes regardless of a presenter’s experience.
Recalling an encounter involving late veteran Ghanaian broadcaster Komla Dumor during his time at the BBC, Sannie Daara said even highly experienced presenters were expected to follow instructions from producers.
“In the BBC, the producer has the power,” he said, noting that age or reputation did not exempt broadcasters from editorial oversight.
Sannie Daara described the BBC training programme as one of the most valuable experiences of his professional life.
“It’s one of the best things that can have ever happened to a journalist’s career,” he said.
“Forget about the money. The training is what is very, very important for a journalist’s career.”
He noted that the experience reshaped his understanding of journalism, particularly the importance of writing and digital publishing.
“That’s where I got to realize that writing was even much more important than it is now,” he said.