Great potential for media cooperation

We can say that the continuous deepening of Sino-African media cooperation has played an important role in promoting each side’s understanding of the other and strengthening the traditional friendship between China and Africa. However, at the same time, we also should realize that, compared to the rapid development of China-Africa relations and the flourishing political and economic cooperation between them, their knowledge of one another is far from enough. There is thus great potential for cooperation between Chinese and African media. Therefore, I Guo Weimin is vice-minister of the State Council Information Office would like to give three suggestions for deepening SinoAfrican media exchanges and cooperation:

First, we should get to know each other better so we can deepen mutual trust. China and Africa have always been a community with a shared future. The most important function of media exchanges is to build mutual trust, something that is widely recognized by the two sides.

* * * Chinese and African media should strengthen their cooperation to break the stubborn images portrayed by some Western media. We should contribute to the real, considerable and overall coverage of China and Africa. Efforts should be made to set up a cooperation mechanism to expand media exchanges to show developing Africa, emerging Africa and multifaceted Africa to China with objective reports; help African countries express their views and tell their own stories; and give more coverage to ChinaAfrica cooperation. Chinese and African media should adhere to the principle of sincerity, mutual respect, equal treatment and seeking common ground while respecting differences. They should continue strengthening their dialogues and frank communication. They also need to constantly improve the level of media exchanges and cooperation. The media on both sides should focus on major themes such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the docking of major strategies for the development of Africa, actively report on issues, and contribute to the development of Sino-African cooperation.

Second, we have to work together to strengthen promote their friendship. At the same time, stories of Chinese enterprises in Africa will bring more Chinese investment to Africa, which will promote and strengthen the economic and trade cooperation between China and Africa. exchanges and constantly expand the results of our pragmatic cooperation. Chinese and African media should not only expand their cooperation on news coverage, but also on professional training and the cultivation of personnel. We need to strengthen the exchange and training process and deepen cooperation. We also need to work on the development of multimedia and the use of social media in order to support cooperation on broadening the means of reporting, promoting technology upgrading.

Third, we need to focus on the future to promote links, cooperate and speak out on reflect on how the cooperation between Africa and China is portrayed since we offer a platform and act as moderators of varying opinions on this. As a journalist, I see that African countries cherish the collaboration with China on various fronts.

Let me propose that the media in Africa and East Africa need, in particular, to portray the positive context of Africa-China cooperation as a way to avoid animosity and ensure accountability on both sides. major issues. China and Africa are the major emerging markets and developing countries and regions. They also face a similar international public opinion environment. The media should cooperate and speak out on major issues related to the developing countries being treated fairly and justly. They should cooperate with each other to set the agenda and amplify the voice of developing countries in upholding their rights. Together they can reinforce the soft power of China and Africa, and create a more objective, just, balanced and diverse international public opinion environment. people to the African people and vice-versa.

Future cooperation between Chinese and African media still has a number of areas to focus on. Exchange programs should be encouraged, as an ongoing activity. There should also be a good number of Chinese people attached to the media in Africa. This will give them a better understanding of African media operations.

Judith Liemisa Konayuma, editor of the Zambia Daily Mail

* * * China has rapidly become an important player in the capacity building of media practitioners in Ghana, and Africa. China offers scholarships to journalists to study in China for their master’s degrees in various communication-related courses such as Development Communication and International Communication. Beneficiaries have demonstrated improvement in their output on return from their studies.