Bringing the Digital Media Revolution to Africa

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Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, the world has experienced a shift in how it interacts with media companies and platforms – for good or for ill. During the global lockdown, as people’s need for clear and accurate information became more urgent, some media outlets – including both traditional and social media – were responsible for driving fear and disseminating disinformation, while others focused on educating their audience about the dangers of the coronavirus, or feeding them useful COVID-related information and resources. The power the media industry holds is sometimes underestimated, but it would be hard to deny the role it has played in the pandemic – either by exacerbating audiences’ anxieties and confusion over the virus, or by attempting to advance the public’s understanding of how to navigate the crisis safely.

However, the media’s dual impacts were in evidence long before COVID-19 began, in both developed and emerging markets. In many parts of the world, media outlets are distrusted and oftentimes harshly criticised for being politically biased, tone-deaf and, in some instances, racist. In Africa, for example, some legacy media houses are regularly accused brazil whatsapp number data of writing with political, cultural and gender bias, while overlooking many topics of critical importance to the public.

In response, a new generation of media publications are shifting from the norm, tackling taboo topics such as domestic violence, drug abuse, homophobia within religious communities, war and terrorisim, and gender inequality. As Africa’s youth population grows, more of these unconventional media publications are rising up to the challenge of reporting on issues and conversations that both local and foreign legacy publishing houses are too biased or afraid to tackle head-on. Despite the inherent difficulties facing the media industry on the African continent—from harsh regulatory policies and social media bans, to corruption and questionable leadership—a growing number of digital outlets are committed to telling Africa’s story in a way that is true, fair and transparent. Furthermore, though there is a lot of untapped potential in Africa’s media space, these new digital outlets are on track to make a profit and achieve commendable audience growth. While some legacy media houses – particularly foreign ones – remain dogged in their antiquated coverage of Africa as a desert continent plagued by war, famine, poverty and other crises, these African digital media publications are changing the narrative and choosing to amplify the other side of Africa—the positive side. And they’re doing it by linking the journalistic and storytelling strengths of traditional media with the youthful energy and global reach of social media.