Abuja: The Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Malam Ali Muhammad Ali, has urged the media in Global South countries to sustain the current tempo of challenging West-inspired reportage. He spoke at a virtual roundtable with the theme ‘Anti-colonialism in Modern Journalism: The Role of Media in Decolonising Narratives.’
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the forum was organised by Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency, the parent company of the Russian news agency, Sputnik. Ali, who spoke specifically on ‘Decolonising the Script: Journalism as a Tool for Liberation,’ said the media must help change age-old colonial narratives. He emphasized the importance of amplifying fresh perspectives about Africa, Asia, and other parts of the Global South, moving away from narratives of gloom and despair.
Ali highlighted the role of journalism in decolonisation, noting its impact on storytelling and social change. He pointed out that in Nigeria, the media has historically been an ally of anti-colonial forces and continues to challenge West-inspired narratives. Ali stressed the need for reportage based on indigenous storytelling to create a more just and equitable world.
NAN reports that the event also featured presentations by global media leaders who discussed the role of the media in dismantling colonial legacies. Prosper Ndlovu of Zimpapers in Zimbabwe advocated for genuine indigenous reportage and local media ownership to counter foreign perspectives. Kamel Mansari of Jeune Independent in Algeria urged the media to become proactive agenda setters and foster cooperative strategies within the Global South.
Ngala Venda of the Cameroon News Agency addressed the Western journalism perspective on gifts acceptance, suggesting African media promote transparency instead of total rejection. He also emphasized strengthening critical thinking and ethical reasoning adapted to local realities.
Closing the session, Chimauchem Nwosu, representing Rossiya Segodnya, stressed the importance of building local digital infrastructure and prioritising indigenous narratives. He called for open-source collaboration and exploring digital opportunities for African media. The roundtable was moderated by Daria Nagovitcina of the International Cooperation Directorate of Rossiya Segodnya media group.