Aleph Strategies ’s Post

Global media tell only part of Africa’s story – new report shows which outlets perform best and worst, write Wallace Chuma and Trust Matsilele Media coverage of Africa has always been dominated by narratives of disease, poverty, conflict and political instability. These portrayals, rooted in colonial histories, continue to shape global perceptions and policy decisions. A nuanced and comprehensive analysis of how Africa is represented in global news could help change this. It could present a more balanced picture of the continent. https://lnkd.in/dBuasXsw

As we celebrate Global Media and Information Literacy Week (24-31 October), APO Group highlights the importance of media literacy in combating misinformation and strengthening communication across Africa. In a world filled with endless information, empowering people with the skills to discern truth and engage responsibly is key to shaping an informed and connected continent. Let’s promote critical thinking and responsible media consumption in Africa, together. #GlobalMILWeek #MediaLiteracy #CombatMisinformation #AfricaRising

The #IAMSAHEL campaign is a fantastic initiative that aims to reshape global perceptions of the Sahel region, highlighting its strength, potential, dynamism, and ambition. The campaign is designed to be people-centric, driven by evidence and data, and showcases another side of the Sahel to the world, creating a sense of collective pride and belonging. To participate in the campaign, you can use the #IAMSahel hashtag on social media platforms to share your stories, including what makes you proud to be a Sahelian, and raise awareness about the campaign. You can also encourage others to share stories of how Sahelians are making a difference in their communities and tag @UNDPWACA on social media to engage with the campaign and its content. The campaign has a strong focus on *_Governance_*, *_Youth_*, and *_Renewable Energy_*, and is complemented by UNDP's substantive programmatic contribution to implementing the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS). The campaign's objectives include introducing the #IAMSahel campaign to a global audience, showcasing transformative impact stories and initiatives from the Sahel, engaging journalists and media personnel, and fostering a balanced discourse that recognizes challenges but predominantly helps to surface transformative developments, actions, and tangible opportunities within the Sahel. You can also host local events to discuss and promote the campaign's goals, get your network to participate in the campaign, and partner with UNDP to learn how your organization can get involved.

Mr Churchill Otieno, president of the African Editors’ Forum, a non-governmental organisation championing a free and vibrant news media in Africa, speaks on a broad range of pressing issues that are impacting journalism and the news media in Africa. Among the key issues is for African editors to realise that the era when they were almost solely responsible for deciding the news content of their media has ended in an emerging era of information abundance, where social and digital content creators are becoming increasingly more influential. He also speaks on efforts that his organisation is taking to increase and promote women editors in African newsrooms, deal with the mental health of journalists exposed to war and civil strife, and on how African newsrooms could embrace generative artificial intelligence in news-making. Watch and listen to his wide-ranging interview with me at https://lnkd.in/dwn6tJhX on my recently launched YouTube channel, Africa Pivotal Moments.

Great article. The more diverse the media landscape in Africa becomes, the better. African countries are so different and they will all find their own unique way. Travelling across Africa is a great way of determining what is really happening on the ground and it is encouraging to see how the media landscape has changed and how people in Africa embrace new technology. Some countries in Africa, especially South Africa, still follow the old western systems as mentioned in the article. However, things are gradually changing. Out with the old, in with the new! WhyAfrica

The 6th World Media Summit organized by XInhua News Agency took place on 14th October on the theme of 'AI and Media Transformation'. More than 500 journalists from around 100 countries participated. I was honored to represent International Committee of the Red Cross - ICRC and bring humanitarian perspectives to the discourse. I shared insights on an issue that deeply impacts conflict zones today—disinformation and its devastating consequences on vulnerable communities. Disinformation in times of conflict is not new, but its scale and speed in the digital age are unprecedented. From fueling violence to jeopardizing humanitarian efforts, false narratives can inflict irreparable harm. I spoke about the real human cost—how disinformation has endangered lives, displaced communities, and undermined the trust between humanitarian actors like the ICRC and those we strive to help. At the ICRC, we’ve witnessed firsthand the consequences of disinformation, from the 2017 crisis in Myanmar to the current conflict in Gaza. Falsehoods not only threaten those in need but also put humanitarian workers and medical teams at risk. So, what can we do? The fight against disinformation requires collaboration between media organizations, tech platforms, governments, and humanitarian agencies. It was heartening to see many media houses stepping up with fact-checking initiatives. Together, we can build a more informed and peaceful world—one where facts matter and where stories empower, not harm. #MediaResponsibility #FactChecking #Disinformation #ICRC #ConflictZones #WorldMediaSummit2024

Source: @sputnik_africa 🌍🗞 Global media still tell only part of Africa's story: A new report highlights the good, the bad, and the ugly This comprehensive study, conducted by a team of journalism and media researchers at South Africa's University of Cape Town, in collaboration with Africa No Filter and The Africa Center, is the first large-scale quantitative analysis of its kind. 🗣 "These findings will be useful in helping the international media improve the way they cover the African story. They will also be useful for African and global policymakers and the broader public in pushing for nuanced coverage of Africa," the authors said. The report, titled the Global Media Index for Africa, analyzed over 1,000 news articles from 20 prominent global media outlets, collected between June and December 2022, and evaluated based on four key indicators: diversity of topics, diversity of sources, diversity of countries, and depth of coverage. While the report found that most outlets performed well in terms of the depth of coverage, it also confirmed the persistent stereotypes that have plagued media representations of Africa. According to the researchers, these stereotypes, often rooted in colonial histories, continue to shape global perceptions and policy decisions, perpetuating a narrative of war, disease, corruption, and insecurity. 👉 The report highlights several key limitations: 🟠 Limited Voices: The analysis revealed a significant gender disparity, with men, particularly powerful elites like politicians and businessmen, dominating the narratives. The voices of ordinary Africans, women, and marginalized groups were noticeably absent. 🟠 Limited Scope: Most outlets covered only a handful of African countries in depth, potentially contributing to the misconception of Africa as a "monolithic entity". 🟠 Limited Topics: The report found a lack of diversity in topics covered, with the focus remaining on politics, poverty, corruption, and conflict. Stories about culture, innovation, technology, and other positive developments were largely absent. According to the study authors, this limited representation creates a biased and incomplete picture of the continent, reinforcing the "troubled child" narrative and portraying Africa as a place in need of foreign intervention. 🗣 "Foreign media’s refraction of the African story often follows foreign policies of their countries. For decades, they viewed Africa through the prism of aid and not as equal partners. The views held in the 1980s remain prevalent," the report conclude.

Seriously?! The deliberate suppression of information and perspectives from conflict zones constitutes a grave ethical and humanitarian crisis. By restricting the world's access to the realities of atrocities, suffering, and the urgent need for humanitarian aid, they not only silence the voices of those directly impacted but also hinder global understanding and the mobilization of crucial support. Truth-telling, accountability, and the right of the public to be informed. It allows perpetrators of violence to operate with impunity, while leaving vulnerable populations isolated and forgotten. The consequences of such actions are far-reaching. They fuel indifference, hinder effective humanitarian responses, and perpetuate cycles of violence. In an interconnected world, the free flow of information is essential for fostering empathy, promoting justice, and building a more peaceful and equitable global society. It is imperative that media giants prioritize ethical reporting, ensure diverse and inclusive perspectives, and uphold their responsibility to inform the public accurately and comprehensively about the realities of conflict zones. The lives and well-being of countless individuals depend on it.

An absolutely wonderful initiative. Far too often, African countries are seen through stereotypes that couldn't be further from the truth, and a lot of it comes from media portrayal. This article sums up some of the issues in media portrayals of African countries: 1. Limited voices: Men, particularly powerful elites like politicians and businessmen, dominated the narratives. The voices of ordinary Africans, women and marginalised groups were notably absent. Big news names most often lack diversity over 50% of the time. 2. Limited scope: Most global media outlets covered only a handful of African countries in depth. This could perpetuate the notion of Africa as a monolithic entity. 3. Limited topics: News about Africa still revolves around politics, poverty, corruption and conflict. Scant attention was given to culture, innovation, technology and other positive developments. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/d2gcWsbG

The power of media to shape Africa's narrative cannot be overstated. Our #AUMediaFellows are gaining insights from national broadcasters like @EBC, @SABCNews, and @dw_africa on how to create content that empowers citizens and drives progress. #AUMediaFellowship initiative aims to transform African media by fostering ethical journalism, challenging prevailing narratives, and promoting collaboration among media professionals for cross-border coverage. Read here about the Fellows experience: https://ow.ly/tesQ50SRzLu