MEDIA IN AFRICA

It is said that if you want to hide something from an African, put it in a book. There also seems to be anecdotal records that indicate that African scholars do not write and publish as much as their counterparts in Western hemispheres. These beliefs seem to purport that Africa is lagging behind when it comes to information gathering and sharing. The truth of the matter is that Africa is no longer playing catch-up but is at the fore in embracing new and sophisticated technology and the latest forms of media. 

Africa has been misrepresented by western media. A good majority of westerners rely largely on news media for information about Africa. Suffice it to say that most of that information paints a grim picture of poverty, war and despondency in our continent. With the belief that ‘bad news sells’, the Africa story has been wrongly told. Exciting stories about newly discovered natural resources in Turkana, Kenya and other parts of the continent have yet to be told. Plus, Africa is becoming the home of creative inventions and little is being said about that, at least outside the precincts of the continent. 

However, there is a new generation rising from the continent. One which is adamant about telling the African story, the African way, by the Africans themselves.Their reporting of African issues seeks to change the wider perceptions of investors and potential investors. It seeks to change the narrative of Africa as the Dark Continent full of war, disease, poverty and civil unrest. AllAfrica.com deserves commendation for being one of the many independent news outlets that not only reports on our woes, but also on our successes. This trend should be replicated more across the countries in Africa, then the western media can take the cue and follow suit. 

We can only speak for ourselves. We must make our voices louder and clearer, first to ourselves, then to the rest of the world. We must find ways to penetrate international media platforms and make ourselves more relevant and competitive. It is possible shift the attention of the world from pessimistic perceptions of Africa to a vibrant, beautiful and a rising continent.