Côte d’Ivoire is taking part in the international conference on Local Journalism 2023 edition, from January 28 to February 3rd
The only French-speaking country invited to this high-level meeting, Côte d’Ivoire is represented by François M’BRA II, Journalist, Consultant, Specialist on Local Development Issues, 1st Vice-President of the ECOWAS Network of Journalists on Agricultural Issues (REJA-ECOWAS).
This conference, organized by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Media, aims to take a look at local journalism in general and local radio in particular and their contribution to development.
Local and digital journalism, innovations in local radio editorial boards, the future of local radio in a context of exploding information on social networks, the presentation of local news, media in South Africa and Kenya, are all issues addressed by English-speaking journalists and media managers.
Côte d’Ivoire, through its representative, shared its experience on the contribution of Local Journalism in general and Local Radio Journalism to the development of the country.
The representative of Côte d’Ivoire, sharing his experience on the contribution of Local Journalism to development, dwelt on the Gbêkê region (center of the country).
He noted the active involvement of journalists in general and local radio stations in the fight against COVID-19 through the Association of local Radios of Gbêkê region ,a member of the ‘’Radio Santé’’ platform, the Union of Journalists of Bouaké ( UJB) and the National Union of Press Correspondent Journalists of Côte d’Ivoire ( UNAJCOP-CI), with more than 250 members, spreaded across the country.
Addressing his second theme, “Radio Local Journalism, last chance?”, the specialist in local development issues listed the various initiatives by local radio stations in the development process of the different regions of the country.
<< Local radio stations played a key role in the return of Peace in Côte d’Ivoire. They have always been at the heart of major events aimed at contributing to the development of our regions. In Bouaké, radio managers, journalists and broadcasters have always been there when it comes to making their contribution to the well-being of the people. It is time to call on the Ivorian Government, foundations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other international organizations to help Journalists’ organizations in general and in particular local radio stations by providing them with funding >> said the former US Government Scholar.
For the Director Africa of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Media , Christoph Plate, local radio journalism can and should be the last chance. To achieve this goal, journalists must be fully engaged in serving communities and working by following the rules.
Côte d’Ivoire is represented for the second time by the Secretary of External Affairs of the National Union of Correspondent Journalists of Côte d’Ivoire Press (UNAJCOP-CI) after his first participation in 2022 in Lilongwe, Malawi.
