Exploring Local Angles and New Strengths in Reporting African Trade Issues

Local Angles for Reporting Local Angles for Reporting African Trade Issues African Trade Issues Prof. Nixon K. Kariithi Tangaza Africa Media, Johannesburg, South Africa

Local/National Angles to African Trade Local/National Angles to African Trade Prerequisites: Sound understanding of national, regional and local/community-level government affairs Understanding of the country s political, economic and social history Knowledge of current politics, social relations, ethnic/gender issues Likely areas of specialization: Political analysis Economic analysis Social development analysis Gender/race relations analysis

Local/National Angles to African Trade Local/National Angles to African Trade Leather and related products Raw spices Processed spices Salts Art and crafts Fabrics and textile products Building materials Entertainment Herbal medicines Varieties of nuts Fish and related products Precious stones Jewellery Books Religious items and artefacts

New strengths needed for reporters New strengths needed for reporters Knowledge of sources Knowledge of how the system works Accuracy, Clarity, Diligence Breaking away from traditional newsroom routines and practices, e.g. what is news; penchant for soft, sensational news. Anticipatory reporting vs catch-up reporting Explanatory reporting vs hard news reporting Understanding and unpacking complex data while remaining relevant to audiences Defenders of the public s right to know Does this mean warfare between reporters and public officials? Radical shift from by journalists/media back to ordinary citizens as the core constituency (not powerful business or politicians).

Developing sources within communities Developing sources within communities Strategies for building trust: Remain as professional as possible Report accurately and thoroughly Always treat community sources fairly New approach - Going back to basics Always be there: Don t just show up because a story has broken Understand their issues: Weather, Budgets, Leaders, Performance in education, economic trends, crime, health risks, environmental risks, etc. Promote applause journalism (not sunshine) and small-town pastoralism Highlight major community campaigns, especially when they challenge mainstream government policy Appreciate and respect deep-seated political and ideological sensitivities.

Developing sources within communities Developing sources within communities Learn how your regional and local communities are organised, political linkages, and their implications for stability and development. Carefully analyse and follow budget allocations for different regions, budget use (efficiency) and implications for the region s development. Grow networks of sources within the region administration, on the basis of what s best for this region? Heavily analyse public data on the region, and be the authority in unpacking the region s fundamentals based on the data. Physical presence is the best approach to reporting. Reporting from Ground Zero remains the best way to cover stories and issues, e.g., health scare, school performance, weather changes, changing political fortunes, use/misuse of government budgets, etc.

Rules of engagement: A new ethos Rules of engagement: A new ethos Are these practices justified in newsgathering? Paying for information Use of false identification Unauthorised access to confidential business or government documents Hidden microphones or cameras Anonymous sources Pseudonyms and composite characters (not a real person but one made up based on facts from several real persons) Photography: People in comprising situations, makeup on news subjects, pictures of minors, injured or deceased people Elaborate sting operations to document corruption, illegal activities Offer a bribe or take a bribe as part of a story investigation