A media narrative for a new era
22 November 2022
Democracy in its essence is about the popular vote and free market capitalism is individualistic. This clash of ideologies is currently being experienced in the developed countries with so called advanced economies. This was one of the pivotal points of the discussions at a seminar hosted by The China Media Group (CMG) Africa and Communication University of China.
The Media Cooperation Forum 2022 on November 16th was a hybrid event set in Kenya’s capital Nairobi. Media professionals and scholars from China and from around Africa participated in this annual event themed ‘China and the World embarking on a new journey’. The two sub themes presented on ‘Building China-Africa Media Dialogue Mechanism” and “Construction on the China-Africa Media Public Opinion Ecology”.
A conscious paradigm shift, a change in attitude and perception of Africans themselves is required. As with China, whose history stretches back to ancient times, so does Africa’s, and beyond to the beginnings of humankind. These civilisations are steeped in indigenous knowledge and have found new and dynamic value in this new era. A knowledge and understanding of history and a just interpretation of events will allow for correction and balance of records by colonialist and slavers. who documented history from their bias perspectives.
The current technological era of communication is ideal to challenge and change unfair and misinformed perceptions. It presents an opportunity for cooperation to be more complimentary and conciliatory and find the solidarity for a shared common present and future.
The new technological era brings with it its own challenges, least of all the challenge of energy to drive the technologies. The dissemination and consumption of information and communication is a work in progress as it needs to bring some kind of balance without stifling debate and alternate views. As the prolific writer George Bernard Shaw said, “Both optimists and pessimists contribute to society. The optimist invents the aeroplane and the pessimist the parachute.”
The seminar produced thought provoking outcomes pointing to China’s consensus system which everyone follows. Elections are good, but ensuring that the elections are good creates sound and reliable institutions which are critical for human development.
K Bhana