The Role of the African Media in Changing Perspective

In my opinion, the media in Africa has sometimes been in the forefront of confusing the people and perpetuating the negativity about Africa by their reporting. Sometimes the media has fallen prey to the whims of politicians and has encouraged divisive politics in their reporting. The media has either not understood its role of influencing positive change, or it has failed in this role. It is almost like the media assumes its role is only to report and offer some criticism when the opportunity arises. The last Kenyan election epitomizes how dangerous the media can be when it falls prey to the whims of politicians. Instead of unifying the country at a time when emotions were very raw, the Kenyan media actually helped in polarizing the nation even further by parading information that incited one tribe after the other.  Contrast this with the American Media in the “911” incident. This is why the media must stop reporting only the negatives but it must offer alternatives by reflecting on positive things done by Africans from all works of life. This way a spirit of patriotism may be born among Africans. It should also not condone acts of tribalism by analyzing leadership from a tribal perspective, but should instead start directing people to view leaders from a nationalistic perspective.