(THIS ARTICLE IS MACHINE TRANSLATED by Google from Norwegian)
[New Africa] Sometimes confidence in politics is enhanced. Or to visionary goals, such as the urgency of eradicating damning world views in our global world.
Monday 15. October increased confidence. The Oslo conference "New pictures of Africa" was almost revolutionary. Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf met as a living example of how rapidly deadly civil war can be replaced by living democracy. A number of editors, writers and businessmen testified that Norwegian media's coverage of the "poor continent" is becoming increasingly damning.
The background was that it is now 50 years since Ghana, as the first country south of the Sahara, liberated itself from colonial occupation. And behind it all is the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development Minister Erik Solheim, in the invitation wrote: "We are arranging a conference that focuses on what works well". Unfortunately, these are pictures and stories we see far too little of. " Wise words. And a commendable measure.
How was the conference then discussed? Well, in a way that explains why 7 of 10 Norwegians most associate hunger with an Africa of rapid growth. The worst was VG, who did not mention the conference. Chimpanzee Ola (20) in Thailand was more important than Africans. Neglect is the worst: Out of sight, out of mind.
On Tuesday, Aftenposten presented the conference under the title «Ask Norway for help», where Johnson-Sirleaf is portrayed as a beggar. This reinforces the degrading image of the victim. Dagbladet interviewed at least Johnson-Sirleaf. But the intro was that she "has good news from Liberia: – We have stopped killing each other."
This is how the frightening ignorance that prevails about "good news" from Africa is revealed again. That is why we at Ny Tid will continue to present the other stories: On the Nye Tider pages, you can meet the students at Sudan's University of Women this week. And read about Africa's new research boom. On page 6, people in Sierra Leone tell themselves what they think about elections and politics.
And going forward, our 21st century columnist Samah Ahmed in Sudan and World Rhythm columnist Brother Buntu in South Africa will continue to add new perspectives. Both know Norway and know what is missing from information.
A new iron curtain has covered the country and blocks insight and views. Therefore, over the past year, Ny Tid has given priority to showing what Africans themselves think, about everything from China to trade and Darfur. This is in contrast to the paternalistic, sacrificial coverage – where even Asian trading partners in the Eurocentric way are referred to as "Africa's new colonial masters".
Media angles are important. Because they create attitudes. Which in turn triggers actions. Both the Obiora death and the Ali scandal could perhaps have been avoided if officials read media that prioritize Africans over chimpanzees. More knowledge is needed about Africa's intellectual contribution to the global world heritage. And about how well it goes without well-informed Europeans.
Let's call it emergency preparedness knowledge. ■