The Turkey-Africa Media Forum, organized by Turkey’s Communications Directorate, has begun in Istanbul, with a central focus on strengthening media ties and promoting a balanced portrayal of Africa in global news.
The forum, featuring panels and discussions, aims to address the current state of Turkey-Africa relations and explore ways to boost cooperation in media and communication.
Key figures, including African Union of Broadcasting CEO Gregoire Ndjaka, Libyan Minister Walid Ammar Ellafi, and Turkish Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, addressed the forum.
They stressed the importance of accurate and fair reporting on Africa.
Fahrettin Altun criticized what he described as the “biased and one-sided” coverage of Africa by Western media.
He emphasized Turkey’s commitment to showcasing Africa’s “true potential and dynamism.” He also reiterated President Erdogan’s vision of a “fairer world,” positioning Turkey as a mediator in African affairs.
Walid Ammar Ellafi called for Africa to take control of its own narrative, expressing concern about the negative and unrealistic depictions of the continent by external sources.
He used the issue of migration as an example, highlighting the tendency to focus on numbers rather than the root causes of the issue.
Gregoire Ndjaka echoed this sentiment, pointing to the prevalence of misinformation and negative stereotypes in migration narratives.
He announced an upcoming summit by the African Broadcasting Union to address these issues and present Africa’s perspective.
The forum’s panels will explore topics such as strengthening media ecosystems, public diplomacy, strategic communication, and combating disinformation in Turkey-Africa relations.
Over a dozen panelists will contribute to these discussions, aiming to foster greater collaboration and understanding.