The Sunday Mail
WESTERN MEDIA loyalties lie with the interests of Western governments.
Miriam Tose Majome
This is evident from the issues they focus on at international forums such as the recent United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
While the Western media focuses on Western issues, the African media tends to miss opportunities to highlight African issues. UNGA is a platform for world leaders to address global challenges, promote cooperation and advocate their respective nations’ interests. Typically, most of the media attention is given to leaders of the developed countries, while leaders from poorer states hardly get passing mention.
The issues that affect the Western countries are made the major issues for debate, while African issues are relegated to the back burner. When African leaders grab the attention of the Western press, it often is not for the right reasons.
Virtually, all African leaders are snubbed at UNGA, as well as other international fora.
Despite the ideological differences dividing the Zimbabwean press and society, there must come a time we realise that there are some common issues that affect every African and, by extension, all Zimbabweans.
It is incumbent on all Zimbabweans, despite our domestic political differences, to converge around our national leadership on matters of national interest when they are presented to the world.
Therefore, if Western leaders and their media snub African issues, it calls on African people and the African media to collectively step up and support their own issues.
The snubbing of African leaders at international gatherings undermines the principles of equality and mutual respect.
Mutual and respectful diplomatic engagement is vital in the pursuit of African interests.
Historical power dynamics between developed and developing nations have shaped the international order, leading to the marginalisation of African issues.
Post-colonial legacies and power imbalances continue to influence the poor treatment of African nations, resulting in African leaders being overlooked or dismissed during high-level meetings. The geopolitical interests of powerful nations also influence this. Western countries prioritise interactions with other influential states and so, focus their attention on forging alliances with countries that align with their own strategic objectives.
As a consequence, African issues and interests are relegated to the periphery of diplomatic engagements and decision-making processes. African leaders, naturally, advocate issues specific to the African continent, like poverty alleviation, conflict resolution and sustainable development.
Unfortunately, these concerns are perceived as secondary by the more powerful nations and are, thus, ignored by their press.
African issues are overshadowed by what are deemed more important global matters.
African leaders, therefore, face challenges in attracting international attention and support for African priorities.
Attending UNGA allows African leaders to interact with leaders from around the world to network, forge relationships and advocate their countries’ interests on the global stage. By participating in these discussions and negotiations, African leaders can contribute to shaping policies and decisions that affect their nations and the continent as a whole.
Engaging in bilateral and multilateral meetings during such events enables African leaders to forge alliances, attract investment, foster technological operation and explore avenues for trade and economic development. Participating in UNGA allows African leaders to raise awareness about the challenges their countries face and mobilise support from the international community.
However, they cannot do this without the support of their African compatriots.
They also need the African media to unite behind common causes when there is need, instead of always focusing on domestic issues and internal divisions.
Miriam Tose Majome is a commissioner with the Zimbabwe Media Commission.
