Africa Suffers from “Bad News Syndrome” as Media Tell Only One Side of Story

But with South Africa Leading the Way, Continent is Poised for Key Role in Global Economy

January 22, 2015. Davos. – While too much of international TV news continues to focus on crisis on the African continent, South Africa is at the forefront of perception change as new economic champions and ESG-focused business models make Africa a key part of tomorrow’s global economy, according to new research from Media Tenor International.

“Over the last five years, South Africa has accounted the bulk of new investment projects in Africa,” says Rob Davies, South Africa’s Minister for Trade and industry. This investment has come from the U.S., several E.U. states, and, increasingly from China, India, and Asia, he says. “South Africa is open for business.”

“The media agenda on Africa needs to shift,” says Roland Schatz, founder and CEO of Media Tenor. “Right now, Africa suffers in international media from ‘bad news syndrome.’ But while the continent faces challenges, part of the story has been missing. Our goal is to look at what the media is saying versus the reality by drawing on our extensive research and the Mo Ibrahim Index. Right now too much of the news flow is ignoring the good reason to solve these problems and include Africa as a central part of global growth in the 21^st century.”

Miller Matola, CEO of Brand SA, says “the crux of a nation’s ability to compete in the global marketplace is its competitiveness.”  While Edward Harris, head of communications for the Africa Progress Panel notes that the key to growing the number of African entrepreneurs lies with educating girls. ”In Nigeria, for example, the richest twenty percent are in school for an average of ten years, while the poorest get an average of less than four years. Rural girls on average only get three years of education.”

The Africa Growth Report looks at the gap between media and reality and provides a more thorough perspective on the future of economic, social, and political change on the continent. Participating in a panel at the Africa Growth Report launch session will be Charlotte Maponya, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Brand SA; Caroline Kende-Robb, Director, African Progress Panel, Switzerland; Ralph Mupita, CEO, Old Mutual; and Rob Davies, Minister of Trade and Industry for South Africa.

For over 20 years Media Tenor's mission has been to contribute to objective, diverse, and newsworthy media content by bringing together the diverse parties. Media Tenor's global research projects include analyses of election campaigns, investor relations, public diplomacy, corporate communications and other topics critical to news makers and news audiences.

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