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You are in: Talking Point: Debates: African | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Monday, 26 March, 2001, 15:11 GMT 16:11 UK
Media in Africa: What is the future?
![]() Africa's journalists are in trouble. From Tunisia to Zimbabwe, the media is under fire.
Africa can be a dangerous place for journalists to work in. Only last year a prominent Mozambican journalist was assasinated. They've been locked up in Liberia, a satirist has been arrested in DR Congo, and Ethiopia has recently been named as one of the world's worst places to be a journalist. But are they irresponsible troublemakers or brave crusaders struggling to tell the truth in the face of oppression? Are Africa's journalists the salt or the scum of the earth?
A selection of your e-mails will be broadcast on Focus on Africa during the 1705 edition on Saturday. This Talking Point is now closed. A selection of your e-mails are posted below.
Jim Onyango, Kenya
They are both. Most are motivated
by politics and self-enrichment, as
much as by the
truth. They are mostly incapable of
presenting a balanced report on any
topic. There are definitely exceptions.
However, they are very few in number.
Regardless, they should be encouraged
and trained more since they play a vital role
in society. Their service is appreciated.
African journalists in so far as they do not criticise the Government are good citizens. But once they write and speak against the Government they become troublemakers. Tell me, who is a troublemaker? One who fights for his people or the one who betrays them?
Scott Morgan, USA
For African journalists to be credible they need better education in addition to the skills they already possess. Too often they are simplistic in their approach, making sweeping statements on issues of the economy and governance. Very few seem to understand the systemic problems that exist in the international economic system and they are unable to question their government borrowing policies etc.
African society is a rather tricky and dangerous place for journalist who are often expected to remove the coal from the fire with their bare hands, yet, neglected by a terrified society when they are persecuted. As long as rulers have something hide in passive African society, and remain greedy for power and wealth, journalists, who work asthe voice of the voiceless and terrified, will always provide easy scapegoats for corrupt dictators.
Mohamed Adan, Norway
I'm all in favour of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Let's start with typewriters.
Journalism is no longer a noble profession in Nigeria. In fact Nigerian journalists are among the most corrupt and vulnerable to manipulations of the highest bidder. Talk about being brave? I don't think so because even the so-called magazines such as "Tell" and "The News" are either on the payroll of foreign embassies or out there intimidating gullible public servants to pay for the cover-up of damning stories they usually cook up against them.
Most African journalists are extremely brave and are paving a way for democracy in the continent. The conflicts we are seeing are actually positive, showing that communities want greater freedoms and a free press. Today there are more independent newspapers and reporters. Africa should build on that.
Dagne Tolla, Ethiopia
How can those who report the truth be considered "troublemakers"? A free and independent society has as its cornerstone 'freedom of speech'. Only those who would wish to distort this freedom, which unfortunately includes virtually all African dictators have anything to gain.
Why should we keep seeking the truth from a few "journalists" when we can happily natter on the net and exchange real info?
Journalists are viewed by the Government as being
big-time criminals because they expose the truth of
what is happening. As a result most journalists in Africa
do not have the right to speak or write on issues that are valid and
critical.
African governments, like any other, dislike criticism from the media but their reaction to criticism is appalling and shameful to say the least. Instead of working to ensure that there is nothing to criticise, they work to ensure that there is no-one to criticise them.
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