WHERE THE NEED LIES...

There is a pressing need for expert and informed opinions to cover the gap in credible news that has been the result of prime time TV, newspaper front pages and sensationalised websites.  

Since the media plays an important role in the development of African society and has an ability to reach an audience of many, an educated and well-informed media is critical to change. Alas, many journalists reporting on African issues have never visited and know little about the continent. What counts in their mind-set are the “key words” and the tragic images they can bring to the front pages and to prime time TV in their own country to promote a ready made political Agenda or for some fundraising purposes.

OUR MISSION We put our members' knowledge and experience to practical use thus ensuring that African issues at the top of the International Agenda are well-researched, investigated and impartially assessed. This contributes to the success of the overall decision-making process. We lend our reputation to increase the plurality of authoritative and credible sources of information in the affairs of Africa by addressing the existing gaps and eliminating imbalances, inequalities and the negative effects of disseminating inaccurate information.

Today, new information and communication technologies have taken Africa far beyond many of the concerns of the 1970s, notably the “New International Information Order” – Sean MacBride’s Commission (Many Voices, One World). However the unbalanced flow of media influence persists, due to issues related to the accuracy of information as well as the credibility and authority of journalists covering African affairs.

In fact, Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe and many other African countries have excellent journalists, prepared and able to report critically and to share their expertise with the international community. Meanwhile, the limited involvement of African journalists at the information policy level reflects the absence of an African intelligence and is a lack of impartiality in the international decision making process.

OUR VISION In this age of information technology, our dream is of a well-informed world in which journalists and independent experts specialising in African issues have enormous social responsibility, authority and credibility to influence public attitudes and behaviour, to make governments, legislators and all decision-makers accountable for their actions.

In a number of donor countries, tax payers, foundations, donors agencies, governments, private sector companies, all need to know how their money is effectively used, and the daily efficacy of African development affairs. Equally, development organisations and local civil society organisations need visibility both for donor countries and the local beneficiaries. Therefore, it is important to involve journalists in a constructive dialogue between donors and beneficiaries to engage tax payers on development issues.

AfromediaNet perfectly understands where the need lies and has created the “Africa Media Partnership” to improve this regrettable situation by harness the potential of journalists specialising in the affairs of Africa. This will help to contribute to the development of an International aid community where decision makers are relied on independent analysis, innovative research as well as on genuine substantially journalists with expertise in the affairs of Africa.

OUR SHARED VALUES We enhance “African ownership” in the affairs of Africa through information exchange and knowledge sharing. Given our professional background and our integrity, we are: Legitimate, committed and efficient Independent, objective and impartial Authoritative, credible and influential

 OUR CONTEXT 

The African continent offers a permanent spectacle of desolation which is largely the result of many conflicts and humanitarian crises.

Whether the after effect of the Cold War_ combined with the current international financial crisis_ or the result of territorial and ethnic struggles, these issues are all rooted in the continent’s rising quagmire of under-development.

Beyong the weakness of the states, there are : the control of mineral resources and the weight of former colonial rulers, the "ready-made" Agenda of the international community, the role of the military, the coexistence of thousands of ethnic groups within arbitrarily demarcated frontiers. 

Many other critical issues include: unbalanced population growth with over 40% of its population below 15 years and unemployment of young people, immigration and Brain Drain, the loss of traditional and social values, all contribute to the current complex situation.

OUR THEMATIC AREAS

Indeed, African countries have pledged to govern better and invest in their people through health care, education and the creation of economic oppertunities. And developped countries have offered to support them through aid, debt relief and fairer trade relations.

In partnership with other institutions, AfromediaNet is engaged in a number of thematic areas through our information products, our Communications Services and our Lifelong Learning programme.

Our thematic areas include but are not limited to:

• Community Health Care: Sexual and reproductive health, mental illness, prevention and control of tropical diseases, essential drug supplies, water and sanitation, provision of medical services and health infrastructures.
• Disaster Reduction: Armed conflicts, forced migration, human trafficking, refugees and internally displaced persons, environment destruction, natural disasters, climate change and related issues.
• Education: 42 million school children in sub-Saharan Africa are not enrolled in school. Their education is key to future economic growth and a lasting democracy, leading to greater stability and improved standards of living.
• Gender and Children's rights: Harmful traditional practices affecting women and children such as customary adultery law, ritual punishment, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), forced marriages, and domestic legislations that are antagonistic towards women and children.
• Trade and Development: Multinational companies and local community affairs, microfinance, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), decentralised cooperation initiatives, traditional savings and banking systems, trade finance, investments, aid and key development finance issues, risks regulation management and many other development and related business.