THE BRICS Summit and BRICS Media Forum is focused on expanding the BRICS alliance and evolving the BRICS outreach format, inviting new members from the African continent also.
On the margins of the BRICS Media Forum, a panel session on “Strengthening Exchanges: The Role of Media in Fostering Africa’s Economic Growth” was held. CEO of TV BRICS, Janna Tolstikova delivered a speech during this panel discussion.
The TV BRICS Media Network has more than 50 national media partners in 11 countries, including African countries such as Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa of course. TV BRICS sees the growing role of information exchange between national media in strengthening relations between countries.
In her speech CEO of TV BRICS Media Network, Janna Tolstikova highlighted the meaning of presenting to the global community via Africa’s own authentic national media, along with its vision from local journalists and creators.
“Africa’s media resources should have access to freely perform its own vision to global audiences. This would allow them to talk more about Africa’s economic agenda, the struggles its countries face and what solutions Africa has to offer the world. This can be done through an international information exchange that shapes the national agenda of each country to the audience of another country and brings them closer and builds a base for further connections and mutual interests in various fields. We believe it helps to stimulate the development of each country and to enhance the common growth between the countries when we put a light on any field using media tools”
Speaking about global information exchanges with Africa’s media, Janna Tolstikova cited on TV BRICS experience. She talked about the multilateral high-quality information exchange between different editorial boards.
“For us, strengthening exchanges between countries is necessary, as it will lead to more sustainable, inclusive and faster economic growth – not only for Africa, but all other countries we call BRICS+,” she added.
During the session, representatives from South Africa, China, France, Zambia and Cameroon discussed how media agencies contribute to the economic development and prosperity of the African continent.
Loyce Mkwayaya Saili, Director of Zambia’s state-owned ZANIS news agency under the auspices of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, noted that Africa is steadily rising as an economic powerhouse, with real gross domestic product GDP projected at around 4% in 2023 and 2024.
“However, to realise its full potential and achieve sustainable development, Africa must harness the flexible and adaptive power of the media, involving its ability to inform, educate and entertain the public,” she stressed.
Saili expressed confidence that the role of the media in this regard is enhanced by advances in information and communication technology, the diversity of media platforms and the overall expansion of media space on the continent. “By amplifying regional stories, cultures and innovations, we create a narrative that resonates with the people of Africa and the world, thereby promoting better understanding and unity among our nations,” said the ZANIS director.
The BRICS Media Forum, which opened in Johannesburg on the eve of the BRICS Summit (22-24 August), is attended by the crew of the international network TV BRICS. The report will be available on our website and on air very soon.
The BRICS Media Forum was established in 2015. It is a platform for dialogue between the leading media outlets of the bloc’s member countries. It is organised by China’s Xinhua News Agency.