President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has proposed the creation of an annual Africa media prize to recognise and profile African journalists, correspondents and media houses that showcase Africa’s achievements and progress.
Delivering a keynote speech during a media leaders’ summit convened by AllAfrica Media, Adesina said the AfDB would work with the AllAfrica Media organisation and African financial institutions to establish the prize as part of efforts to promote more positive reporting of developments on the continent. He also proposed that the AfDB, Africa Import-Export Bank, and all regional financial institutions should pool resources to support the emergence of a globally respected African media company that will report the news of Africa to the world.
“Africa must shape its own narrative, and not depend on what others think about it or the perspectives they prefer to share about it, its achievements, and opportunities… Positive stories of African investment opportunities need to be well showcased, as they unfortunately do not get sufficient coverage, if any at all, in western media,” Dr Adesina declared.
He added: “The media has a critically important role, by being fair, objective, inquisitive, investigative yes, but also by being a catalyst for development, and promoting positive news about tangible African accomplishments, achievements, and developments.” Dr Adesina also called on development institutions in Africa to set up a joint repository of verified and standardised stories, videos and content that will make it easier to aggregate and write stories on what is being achieved in Africa.
He also pledged that the AfDB, working with partners and the African financial institutions would also help establish the African Journalists’ and Correspondents’ Fellowships to help build and strengthen the capacities of journalists and correspondents working in Africa.
