By Joseph
A civic society activist, Ter Manyang Gatwech from South Sudan, has called on African Union leaders to establish a Continental Public Broadcasting Service similar to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
In a statement extended to the media, Manyang who is the Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) urged the African Union (AU) to create a continental public broadcasting network to strengthen unity across Africa.
He stated that a pan-African television service modeled after the BBC would help promote African voices and ensure accurate and independent reporting.
Activist Manyang emphasized the critical role of media in nation-building and in promoting democratic values, good governance, and human rights.
He noted that a continental broadcaster would provide Africans with a unified platform to share stories, address challenges, celebrate diversity, and drive positive development across the 54 member states of the AU.
According to him, the proposed initiative would counter misinformation, increase media access in underserved regions, and ensure that African narratives are told by Africans, for Africans, and to the world.
He urged AU leadership and heads of state to prioritize media infrastructure as part of Agenda 2063, emphasizing that media freedom and accessibility are essential pillars of the ‘Africa We Want.’
Ter Manyang Gatwech is a South Sudanese human rights defender, governance analyst, and director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA).
He is a leading voice for transparency, accountability, and inclusive development in Africa.
In recent years, Africa’s media landscape has undergone significant transformation, fueled by technological advancements, greater access to information, and the rapid rise of social media.
Data from 39 countries reveal that while digital media is gaining ground, radio remains the continent’s most widely accessed medium.
This duality of progress presents both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, the media serves as a vital watchdog and agenda-setter; on the other, it grapples with disinformation and divisive narratives that can undermine peace and security, particularly during elections.