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HomeNewsUnveiling the Power Dynamics of International Media in Africa

Unveiling the Power Dynamics of International Media in Africa

The British government spends €600 million annually on the BBC World Service (the BBC’s international advertising branch)* And every week, this World Service reaches 96 million people in Africa, the channel’s largest audience. Now ask yourself, why would the British government spend 600 million euros EVERY YEAR to inform African people? As Carter G. Woodson said ′ If you can control a man’s thinking, you don’t have to worry about his actions. When you determine what a man should think, you don’t have to worry about what he is going to do. If you make a man feel inferior, you don’t have to force him to accept an inferior state, because he will look for you himself. If you make a man think he is just an outcast, you don’t have to send him to the back door. He will go without being told; and if there is no back door, his very nature will demand one.
Now, here it comes: France. Every year, France spends 273 million euros on 3 international advertising media: 140 million euros on Radio France Internationale (which reaches 40 million people every week mainly in Africa); 80 million euros in France 24 (the aspiring French CNN, which hit 45 million people a week, mostly in Africa); and 63 million euros on TV 5, a channel to disseminate the French language and culture of French-speaking countries in the world, which reaches around 55 million people weekly, mostly in Africa. Again, ask yourself, why would the French government spend € 273 million EVERY YEAR to inform the African people. The answer is simple. There is a war in your mind!
As George Orwell said, ′ The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and destroy their own understanding of their history “, and these means, disguised as informing and amusing the African people, have only one Agenda: to corrupt our understanding of ourselves, our reality and the world, implanting in the minds of our young people ideas and concepts that ultimately lead us to believe in what will happen in the period of political or economic crisis. The logic behind the huge media domination in Africa by these Western powers is to prepare Africans for a subservient role in this world.
It is a process of dehumanization as Steve Biko put it some time ago. ′ The most powerful weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed ′ – Steve Biko From Genghis Khan to Hitler, they know that once we win the propaganda war, it is easier to conquer any nation. ′The shepherd always tries to persuade the sheep that their interests and their own are the same. “~ Marie-Henri Beyle…
The African elite now receives 100% of its information from Europeans. If something happens in Lagos or Accra, they would receive news from CNN or the BBC.′ We become slaves the moment we hand over the keys to defining someone else’s reality, be it a business, an economic theory, a political party, the White House, Newsworld or CNN. ” ~ B.W. Powell, African governments must take strong measures to restrict the issuance of foreign propaganda in their territory. Africa’s intellectuals and their political associates, must step out of their comfort zone and join the frontline of offensive intellectual independence. Any country that does not print its own dictionary is colonized or will be soon! He who defines, governs.
Words are the building blocks of reality. The reality belongs to whoever makes the blocks! As Marimba Ani said ′ Your culture is your immune system”, once taken from you, you are helpless, and vulnerable. This is why Africa’s enemies are investing so much in destroying your immune system. “

Expanding on this content, we can delve deeper into the historical and socio-political context surrounding the actions of governments like the UK and France in funding international media outlets.

Firstly, the investment in broadcasting to Africa by Western nations is not merely about disseminating information but is deeply intertwined with historical legacies of colonialism and imperialism. During the colonial era, European powers imposed their languages, cultures, and ideologies upon African societies, often through force or coercion. This resulted in a profound influence on African thought, identity, and perception of the world. Hence the desire of most Black people wherever they reside is to migrate to the USA or the West where they perceive a better life.

The continued funding of international media outlets by countries like the UK and France can be seen as a modern extension of this historical influence. By controlling the narrative and shaping perceptions through media, these nations can maintain a degree of soft power over former colonies and regions with historical ties. This soft power is essential for maintaining political and economic interests in these regions.

Furthermore, the quote by Carter G. Woodson highlights the significance of controlling the narrative to influence actions. By shaping the thoughts and perceptions of individuals, particularly regarding their own history and identity, external powers can subtly manipulate behavior and maintain control without resorting to overt coercion.

The comparison to George Orwell’s warning about the manipulation of history underscores the importance of preserving cultural identity and historical understanding as a means of resistance against external influence. By distorting or erasing indigenous histories, external powers can weaken the collective identity and resilience of African nations, making them more susceptible to manipulation and exploitation.

The call for African governments to take measures to restrict foreign propaganda reflects a desire for greater autonomy and sovereignty in shaping national narratives and identities. This includes investing in domestic media infrastructure and promoting indigenous voices and perspectives to counterbalance the dominance of external sources.

Moreover, the emphasis on intellectual independence highlights the role of intellectuals and thought leaders in challenging dominant narratives and fostering a culture of critical thinking and self-determination. By reclaiming control over the narrative, African intellectuals can empower their societies to resist external influence and assert their own agency in shaping their future.

Overall, the funding of international media outlets by Western governments is not simply about information dissemination but is deeply rooted in historical power dynamics and contemporary efforts to maintain influence and control. Recognizing and resisting these efforts is essential for fostering true autonomy and self-determination in African nations.

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