Story by Tafara Chikumira
THE Southern African Development Community (SADC) has launched the regional bloc’s Communication Strategy Draft 2025 to 2030, amid calls for the capacitation of media personnel to ensure their reportage promotes regional integration and development.
The one-day strategy workshop held in Gaborone this Tuesday drew participants from all SADC member states who are formulating a document set to guide the media on responsible reportage anchored on developing continent.
For the better part of the day, delegates held group deliberations on critical areas they feel are not being properly addressed, chief among them the welfare of media practitioners.
“In our group, we deliberated on the need to come up with workshops and online trainings for SADC journalists to have an understanding of the trending issues happening across the globe. We also want the strategic document to clearly spell out how we should handle problematic areas like the coup in Madagascar. We need to draw a line on responsible journalism and facts on the ground,” said a group representative.
Another group representative weighed in, “We generally feel like there is a gap in terms of development issues and opportunities presented by each country. For us who are islands we have our unique stumbling blocs which needs to be addressed separately so it can’t be a one size fits all game. We also need to see to it that the strategy spells out how we can reach out to remote areas and get everyone visible on social and mainstream media as well.”
The SADC secretariat says it has noted the concerns of the delegates at this draft stage which shall guide the outcome of the critical document.
“It has been a day with some fruitful deliberations. We heard you on the need for capacitation of media practitioners. We are going to make sure that the first draft is pregnant with all your concerns. We are committed to tell the SADC story with conviction. Ours is to listen and make sure that Africa’s voice is heard,” explained SADC Secretariat Head of Communication and Public Relations, Ms Barbra Lopi.
Africa’s story has suffered at the hands of powerful western-sponsored media outlets bent on spotlighting the continent in the negative, hence the need for regional media to promote continent’s massive development milestones.
The consultative validation process was led by the SADC secretariat.
