Countries in Africa face many enormous challenges. Unresolved conflicts; disputed boundaries; huge and growing divides between rich and poor; despotic dictatorships, corruption; lack of free education; a continuing struggle for women’s and children’s  rights; the damage and tragedy left by conflict…the list is a long one.
 
But the last 5 years have given genuine reasons for hope.
 
Trade is on the up; so much so that some even question whether Aid is still necessary. China has played an important role. It has committed investment and skills to Africa in return for commodities and long term relationships. The competition engendered by China’s entry has had a positive effect on other countries. They have responded by engaging more than they would otherwise have done.
 
It is not just international trade that is increasing. Intra-African trade is improving for the first time in a long time. So African countries are effectively helping each other grow their economies.
 
Ghana and Kenya have gone through hotly contested elections and come out the other side with truly democratic changes in government.  Other countries do not live up to those standards. Some leaders still change constitutions to hang on to power but whereas that used to be the standard – other standards are now being set.
 
South Africa, in spite of all the doom mongering when the ANC came to power, has shown how reconciliation and democracy can bring remarkable stability and economic growth.
 
In North Africa, Tunisia has given birth to the “Arab Spring”.  Libya is throwing out the old regime. Those who oppose Gaddafi are being careful to talk up their democratic attitudes, while also being inclusive to all Libyans. This is a stance that gives a reasonable opportunity for stability when the regime collapses.
 
In the midst of all of this, several countries have been thinking hard about what role the media can play – not just in education but in helping governments to stay honest. 
 
Too often in the past regimes have seen the media simply as a way of letting people know what they think and what they want.
 
Some have used it successfully to help drive development – spreading health messages and education – but the real long term benefit of well regulated media is tolerance of political plurality.
 
It offers a place accessible to all, where ideas can be explored; where contrary views test the soundness of new ideas; where someone who disagrees is not treated as an enemy; where tolerance can be displayed; where powerful, constructive, enlightening contributions can bloom in to policy.
 
All this has to be done in a regulatory environment that prevents hate speech; where calls to violence are not allowed; where abuse on the grounds of sex or race is not tolerated. These things are restricted on the media by exercising editorial control and not allowing such destructive behaviours to be aired. Freedom goes hand in hand with responsibility.
 
However, broadcasters should lean towards pushing the boundaries rather than hiding behind the safe walls of regulation to prevent new ideas blossoming.  Getting the balance right between freedom and responsibility is extremely challenging. It involves sound judgement. That is hard to achieve in a world where attitudes and customs change constantly.
 
This is a challenge actively being picked up by several African (and Arab) countries. If they meet the challenge, it could do as much for the people of Africa as all the new private capital being made available for investment on the continent. That investment and the willingness to take a fresh look at the media both offer                      real hope for the future.  2011-06-07
                                              Further Reading      http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/economic_studies/the_case_for_investing_in_africa

Jerry Timmins, Managing Director GMT Media Ltd