Africa’s Media Leaders have been urged to create synergies and collaborate in crafting positive narratives about the continent.
Media Council of Kenya CEO David Omwoyo advised media organisations across Africa to reduce competition and increase cooperation to propel accuracy in telling the African story.
“Through collaboration can we ensure that African stories are told accurately, countering the negative narratives often perpetuated by international media”, said Mr Omwoyo while representing the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Mr Eliud Owalo at the AllAfrica Media Leaders Summit at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi.
Mr Omwoyo highlighted the importance of unity in the face of global challenges, stating that collaboration not only strengthens the credibility of African media but also facilitates the dissemination of accurate and diverse narratives across the continent.
“Time has come for us to set up a Pan-African news entity that will help in telling the story of the African content from an African perspective, with the target of increasing cohesion, sustaining the media enterprises, and empowering the youth”, he noted.
He called upon media leaders to leverage innovation and technology to embrace and adapt to the current emerging issues in the sector. He stressed the need to incorporate the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in news production.
“Artificial Intelligence is a new phenomenon. Technology has its advantages and disadvantages, making work easier and faster. It possesses the ability to translate, tabulate and vocalise data. It also has its risks therefore innovators must ensure that it is used for good by developing mechanisms that will counter any threats of its misuse”, he emphasised.
AllAfrica Global Media Chairman, Amadou Mahtar Ba echoed the importance of African media taking the lead in portraying the continent’s stories accurately, stating the impact of media bias on Africa’s perception.
“Africa has its risks, as do other countries. However, due to media bias, Africa is often unfairly portrayed and treated by global institutions”, he observed.
Mr. Ba proposed that African institutions collaborate in establishing an African media institution to facilitate knowledge sharing and content creation among African media houses.
“As African media leaders, we should work together to establish an African media institution, African media prizes, and African journalists and correspondents Fellowships. These initiatives would incentivise African journalists to produce high-caliber, impactful journalism addressing critical content-wide issues and driving positive change”, he added.