In a BBC World Debate co-produced by the BBC World Service Trust, panellist and Ugandan journalist Andrew Mwenda called for stronger voices from and on Africa, telling stories of the continent's "many enterprising people doing extraordinary things".
Mwenda criticised the tendency of Western journalists to "behave like scavengers of disaster" and of the lost opportunities - in business and development - this negative stereotyping creates.
The debate
The debate explored the multiple ways we now receive news, through platforms such as websites, mobiles, newspapers, television and radio.
Joining Andrew Mwenda on stage, the panel consisted of:
- Carl Bernstein, legendary investigative journalist and author
- Sergey Brin the co-founder of Google
- Dan Gilbert, Harvard Psychologist
- Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan
The debate was recorded live at the annual TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) conference in California, on 27 February 2008.
Stephen King, the director of the BBC World Service Trust, welcomed a packed auditorium and told delegates ('TEDsters') that the debate would be viewed by a global audience of 85 million people.The media, he reminded delegates, has a powerful role to play. "In elections for instance, the media has a critical role - for good and ill - in influencing public opinion and reporting unfolding events."
The role of the media
Journalist, Andrew Mwenda noted that global news rarely covers Africa and when it does the focus in on "famine, war and disease", with "journalists behaving like scavengers of disaster".
Carl Bernstein, who subscribes to a daily news alert on Kenya, agreed that coverage of Africa was poor and suggested that the role of a journalist is to act as a filter, sifting the growing information available:
"We need new portals, this might be a website, newspaper or an NGO, that can aggregate the best of what we've got. We need to use the best of old media standards about ethics and reporting and apply them to the new media world."
Andrew Mwenda said that he felt the benefits of new media have outweighed the costs, because it has brought information closer to many more people and is restricting governments' ability to undermine democracy.
He spoke of the rising use of mobile phones. When challenged about the use of mobiles in Kenya to target opponents and spread violence, he admitted that while not all new media was good, access to information is key.
Sergei Brin, co-founder of Google, agreed, noting the invaluable use of mobiles for farmers in the developing world seeking information about market prices.
In conclusion, Matt Frei asked his guests if new media had made the world a better place?
Mwenda thinks so: "Yes, in terms of interaction, participation and suporting democracy. Even the last person in the last village now has more information than they used to."
About TED
TED is a four-day gathering of thinkers and doers, bringing together the founders of most of the leading dotcoms, entrepreneurs, film stars, movie producers, architects, scientists, authors and musicians. It has been nicknamed 'the fun Davos'.
Chris Anderson, the dynamic TED curator, spoke about what drives him and the event.
'I buy the theory that a combination of media, technology, economic growth and connectivity are creating the background forces that promote greater empathy among different people.'