At two-day forum in Russia: Cameroonian, Formuh Fabian, African peers discuss workable ways of reporting SDGs.

The discussions were at the front burner of the recently held 2023 Russia-Africa Young Media Practitioners’ Forum which ended last week.

The two-day event brought together 15 participants from 10 African countries including Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Egypt, Algeria and Tanzania.

The event, hosted by RUDN University named after Patrice Lumumba, highlighted the pivotal role the media plays in promoting development goals and the challenges faced in accurately and comprehensively reporting on SDGs in the region. 

It was organised by RUDN University in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russian Federation. 

During the insightful meeting, participants highlighted numerous obstacles hindering the accurate and widespread reporting of SDGs in African media. 

Among the challenges discussed were the proliferation of false information, a lack of professionalism, perpetuation of stereotypes, difficulties in covering disasters due to inadequate infrastructure and the detachment of Africa from Russia, resulting from information dissemination primarily from Western agencies.

To address the said challenges, the young media practitioners put forth a series of actionable steps to enhance SDGs reporting across African media outlets. 

Some of the key recommendations included prioritising environmental education to raise awareness about sustainability issues, collaborating with experts for accurate reporting, upholding journalistic principles of accuracy and impartiality, ensuring diverse reporting topics to give appropriate attention to SDGs, and establishing media outlets dedicated to covering specific SDGs themes.

Participants also emphasised the need for forging strong partnerships with Russian educational institutions and media agencies to facilitate knowledge exchange and capacity building. 

They also stressed the importance of addressing the audience in their native languages to enhance accessibility and engagement.

The gathering acknowledged the positive advancements in African media literacy and education, praising the increasing number of literate individuals and recognising journalism’s power in disseminating critical information that can positively impact society. 

Participants also highlighted the significance of personal training and the use of modern hardware, such as cameras, to improve the quality and reach of SDGs reporting.

A strong call to action was made at the conclusion of the gathering, urging media organizations, governments, educational institutions, and civil society to collaborate in realizing the proposed workable solutions for SDGs reportage. 

By harnessing the potential of the media, Africa can better communicate its development needs, progress, and aspirations to the world.

The event underscored the importance of media practitioners in driving positive change and fostering sustainable development in the region. 

With concerted efforts and collaboration, young African media professionals are set to transform the narrative and play a pivotal role in shaping a brighter and more informed future for the continent and its people.