China calls for new approach to journalism
China is advocating a new approach to news reporting by which journalists will be made to focus more on the positive aspects of issues and events to inspire confidence and the growth of society rather than dwelling more on negative issues that retard progress.
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It has, therefore, called on the media in developing countries, especially those on the African continent, to lead the way in achieving that paradigm shift on the media landscape.
Prof. Zhang Yangiu, the Director of the Africa Communication Centre and Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Journalism at the Communication University of China, threw the challenge to the media at the second forum on China-Africa Media Co-operation which ended in Beijing recently.
The forum is the initiative of the Chinese government aimed at creating a credible platform for the exchange of ideas, enhancement of diplomatic relations and co-operations in media through constant interaction.
The maiden one was held in Beijing in August 2012, where various memoranda of understanding (MoU) were signed by the governments and media institutions in some African countries and their counterparts in China.
About 24 ministers of information, communication and their deputies from 40 African countries participated in this year's event. It ended with the adoption of some proposals on media co-operation between China and Africa and the signing of commercial and diplomatic MoUs among the Chinese government, China-based media organisations and their counterparts in Africa.
"Better media coverage leads to better mutual understanding, which, in turn, leads to better communication and bilateral or multilateral relations, reducing the possibility of conflicts and misunderstanding, and promoting harmony," Prof. Yangiu said, adding that consistent improvement in the Sino-Africa relations called for a paradigm shift in global communication between the two sides.
Constructive journalism
Making references to the 1970s and 80s debates on international communication, which were initiated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Prof. Yangiu said a new approach to communication was advocated to replace the western style of communication.
"Western news agencies were specifically under attack for failing to cover issues in developing countries adequately and the coverage was bias, distorting the images on the African continent.
That notwithstanding, she said the media in the developing world had failed to influence global communication, leaving it to their counterparts in the western world.
Although the western media had done well through aggressive coverage of events in both the developed and developing countries, Prof. Yangiu said they had centred more on the negative aspects of issues in the developing world, especially in Africa and China.
