African journalists urged to portray continent’s good image

African media practitioners have been called upon to use their various media to counter the biased and distorted image of Africa peddled by the international media.

The Deputy Director General of Foreign Affairs of the Republic China, Mr Ma Jisheng, made the call during a press briefing about the achievements and challenges of China organised for journalists from Africa and Asia attending a World Media Summit Training Programme at Beijing.

The Deputy Director General expressed regret about the way and manner African journalists especially those in international media allowed themselves “to be used” to portray Africa, and for that matter developed countries, negatively and called on Africa journalists to shun such practices.

He said Africa had good stories that could be told to bring about development and stressed that African journalists should be seen in reporting to market such areas to pave way for accelerated development.

He said for a long time the Western world thought a country like China could not develop to reach the stage in which it was now.

Mr Ma said though the country was reported to be the second largest in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the rural area was poor.

He indicated the country was working hard to ensure that it developed to make life more bearable for the deprived communities.

Mr Ma said this notwithstanding China was still committed to giving support and aid to Africa and developing countries as one of its cardinal foreign policies.

He stressed that China would not tolerate any interference in its internal affairs.

The journalists attending the five-day programme organised by the Xinhua News Agency are from the Ghana, Kenya, Malaysia, Thailand, Nigeria, Vietnam, Cameroon, Tanzania, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Source: GNA