At African media forum, experts push for improved content, structure

By Yemi Olakitan
Publishd in the Guardian Newspapers,
November 23rd, 2009

RECENTLY, more than 100 media practitioners gathered in Lagos under the umbrella of Africa Media Initiatives (AMI) to discuss issues concerning media development in the continent.

The forum, which attracted delegates from 48 countries, held at the Federal Palace Hotel and the Civic Center, Lagos.

Keynotes at the forum were by the famous ABC Nightline anchor, Mr. Ted Koppel; Co founder of Huffinghton Post in the US, Arianna Huffinghton and publisher of the Next Newspapers, Dele Olojede, as well as the Dean of Medil School of Journalism, John Lavine.

The forum built on the outcome of the first, which, among other things, called for the development of a charter structure to guide the work of African Media Leaders Forum.

It also reflected on the commitment of media owners to seek common ground on problems and prospects of the industry.

The platform also looked at common problem solving methods, alongside high profile advocacy for an enabling macro-economic and socio political environment in which media institutions could thrive.

Some other issues discussed include the possible future and the practice of journalism in Africa in an age of radical media and technological change, drawing examples from other parts of the world.

While it envisioned and pinpointed new media business models, the forum considered the evolving media development and possibilities of financing the ventures it engenders. It also linked the overall governance agenda in Africa to the media, including its merits and demerits as a fourth estate of the realm. It analysed the implications of monetising content for the development agenda and also explored the African Media initiative as strategy for an improved media landscape.

Hosted by THISDAY and attended by media owners and practitioners from the continent, the forum urged the industry in Africa to hold their governments accountable.

Speaking before the first session, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, who is the founding chairman of AMLF, said the forum was designed to create a new experience to chart the course of development on the continent.

Obaigbena said the second forum became imperative to build on the outcomes of the maiden conference in Dakar, Senegal last year in such a way that it would be beneficial to practitioners on the continent.


In his remarks, Mr. Eric Chinje, Co-President AMLF and Manager, External Relations of the Africa Region of the World Bank, said the forum was aimed at critical reflection and common problem solving along with concerted high-profile advocacy for an enabling macro-economic and socio-political environment where media institutions could thrive.

Chinje said the African Media Initiative (AMI) was expected to generate support for the continent, adding that media owners are better positioned to talk about issues involving them.

The Co-President AMLF and President, All Africa Global Media, Mr. Amadou Mahtar Ba, said each delegate represented a powerful voice from their respective countries.

Ba urged the delegates to work together to present African views to the rest of the world.

In his keynote titled: What are the Possible Futures of Journalism with the Experience of New Media," Koppel said new technology of Internet cannot kill the newspaper industry. He added that he does not want the continent's media to become obsessed with the new technology.

He said the polarisation of news had drawn a lot of people back to the traditional media, which they had discovered carry verifiable news.

He said the Internet conveys millions of facts everyday, but it does not mean that those facts are true.

On Media and Governance: Myths and Realities of a Fourth Estate, Huffington said the evolvement of the new media was very important to the industry.

Huffington cited the instance of U.S President Barack Obama, who won his election on the strength of the Internet.

She said another advantage of the new media is its ability for instantaneous correction especially as it relates to the polarization in the mainstream media.

Also speaking as a panelist, Chairman, Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Alhaji Abubakar Jijiwa, advocated an interface between the old and the new media in the practice of journalism.

Jijiwa said the future of democracy in Africa depended on how the media engaged the new and old media in presenting information to the people of the continent.

Jijiwa also talked on the relevance of community radio in the emerging African democracy. He was of the opinion that community radio is the most effective media in Africa, as it cannot be hindered by illiteracy.

He called on African leaders and policy makers to embrace community radio, as this will help the continent immensely in its quest for effective information dissemination.

There was also a session on "Media Development: Financing Media Ventures," moderated by CEO Africa International, France, Marie Roger Bilos, where the hurdles faced by media entrepreneurs in securing loans for their projects were highlighted.

The forum was rounded off with the third plenary discussing "Media Development: Financing Media Ventures". On the panel were Tayo Aderinokun, Group Managing Director, Guarantee Trust Bank; Ncube; George Twumasi, CEO, African Broadcasting Network, UK and Kate Senye, CEO, Southern Africa Media Development Fund, Namibia.

Marie Roger Biloa, the CEO of Africa International, France, moderated the plenary.

There was also a gala dinner night hosted by the Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the country's Governors Forum, Dr. Bukola Saraki at the Civic Center, Lagos.

The forum ended with a call on owners and operators of media organisations in Africa to embrace the digital revolution for seamless information dissemination on the continent. It also provided opportunity to present a draft of AMLF's charter.

The forum had Trevor Ncubde, Executive Vice Chairman Mail and Guardian South Africa; Linus Gitahi, CEO Nation Media Group; Kenyan Pius Njawe; Cameroun's Keneth Best, publisher of the Liberian Observer, Robert Kabushenga; CEO New Vision, Omar Ben Yeder, Publisher, IC Publications, UK's Marie Roger Biloa, publisher Africa international; France Mathatha Tsedu, among others in attendance.