Meeting challenges

“Much is being done in terms of Chinese media reporting about China in Africa, but less is being done in terms of African media reporting about Africa in China,” said Sichizya, adding that more collaboration and networking is needed to foster the cooperation between the two.

“We need more collaborative efforts where African journalists are able to collaborate with Chinese journalists to report about African issues in China.” he said. Sichizya called for African journalists to engage more interactively and use available opportunities to increase reporting on African issues for different media in China.

This process also needs to be reciprocated. Sichizya said one of the ways to empower African media would be to have more African media organizations set up bureaus in China.

Chinese reporters face many challenges in Africa. “Poor infrastructure and low Internet access and logistical support inhibit journalists’ effectiveness in coordinating and reporting on the ground,” said Zhang Zizhu, global TV news network Phoenix Infonews Channel’s special correspondent in Nairobi.

“This is compounded by budget constraints,” she added.

Shu Zhan, former Chinese Ambassador to Eritrea and Rwanda, suggested that more human interest stories be included in reporting. “Instead of writing stories sitting in the office, Chinese reporters should have more opportunities to go to African countries, interview people and write more feature stories, for example, what Chinese medical teams and Chinese agricultural technicians are doing there,” he told Chinafrica. “Chinese media can also invite more African journalists to write articles for them.” liujian@chinafrica.cn