Istanbul— Opening the Turkiye-Africa Media Forum in Istanbul on Friday, Mr. Walid Ellafi underlined the importance of media cooperation between Turkiye and Africa, saying that Libya seeks to develop media partnerships that provide “balanced and true image of the African continent,” according to Hakomitan’s X platform.
Ellafi, who is the Minister of State for Communication and Political Affairs of Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU), said “it has become necessary for the media in Africa and Turkey to keep pace with the production of content that reflects the real successes in Africa, away from the stereotypical image that has always offended Africa in the global media”.
The one-day event, hosted by Türkiye’s Directorate of Communications, brought together media officials, academics and politicians focused on “participant information exchange, countering disinformation and ensuring the spread of accurate information,” the Directorate said.
Ellafi called for launching joint media platforms, organizing training programs for media professionals, and enhancing news exchange between Turkish and African media institutions, noting that the media has become a key element in foreign policy and digital diplomacy.
“Libya represents a strategic link between Africa and Turkiye via the Mediterranean, and from this standpoint, talking about successful African-Turkish cooperation requires that Libya play a role in this cooperation,” he stressed.
The forum also discusses the challenges of media in the digital age, the role of media in shaping public opinion and promoting rapprochement between peoples, and ways to develop media production to serve development and stability issues in the African continent.
Fahrettin Altun, head of media and communications in the Turkish presidency, emphasized that, beyond the strong diplomatic ties, Türkiye will continue to build partnerships with Africa in trade, investment, education, culture, and military cooperation.
“We believe the global media ecosystem should operate based on truth and justice, and that Africa should be represented in global media with its own voice and in the most accurate way,” Altun added, slamming the West for its “biased and one-sided” stance against the African continent.
Gregoire Ndjaka, director of the African Union of Broadcasting, pointed out that migration is currently the most discussed topic in African media. “Unfortunately, the narratives about migration are often shaped by misinformation and negative stereotypes,” he said.
Ndjaka also said ‘the director general of the African Broadcasting Union is organizing a summit for this purpose. This summit will reflect Africa’s perspective on migration”.