Director General of the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB) address Turkiye-Africa Media Forum

Director General of the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB) address Turkiye-Africa Media Forum

It is an immense honor to stand before you today, at this distinguished gathering—the Turkiye-Africa Media Forum—an occasion that symbolizes the growing and deepening partnership between Turkiye and Africa. This is not just a forum for discussions but an opportunity to reaffirm our collective commitment to a media landscape that reflects our shared aspirations and realities.

Africa and Turkiye share a history of resilience, ambition, and un-wavering commitment to shaping our own narratives. Under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkiye has demonstrated its dedication to Africa’s development, not just through words but through concrete actions. The timely intervention of Turkiye in negotiating the grain supply deal at the onset of the Russia-Ukraine crisis stands as a testimony to its solidarity with Africa. This initiative averted a catastrophic hunger crisis in several African nations, proving that Turkiye is not just an economic partner but a true friend of the African continent.

Media plays a pivotal role in shaping perceptions, informing societies, and preserving cultural heritage.

While Africa’s media landscape continues to grow, it is un-deniable that we still face significant challenges, especially in production quality, technological advancements and global competitiveness.

In this regard, we recognize the exemplary operational standards of Turkiye’s national broadcaster, TRT. TRT’s global reach, high production values, and commitment to balanced reporting, serve as a model for what African media aspires to become. The African Union of Broadcasting (AUB) acknowledges that collaboration with TRT presents an opportunity to elevate the standards of African media through shared expertise, technology, and training.

We deeply appreciate TRT’s commitment to training African journalists and the launch of TRT AFRIKA—an initiative that is bridging the information gap and presenting authentic African stories from an African perspective. As we move forward, we see great potential in further exchanges of expertise, mentorship programs, and technological cooperation that can enhance the skills of African media professionals.

Distinguished members of this Forum

For too long, global media conglomerates have painted Africa with a brush of negativity—war, disease, poverty, and instability. These narratives often distort the true image of our continent, ignoring the dynamism, innovation, and rich cultural heritage that define us. The AUB recognizes the value of partnerships that allow Africa to present its own stories with authenticity and accuracy.

To further this goal, the AUB has established the AUB Training Centre in Dakar, Senegal, a key institution designed to enhance the capacity of African journalists. This initiative is a step towards equipping media professionals with the skills necessary to tell Africa’s stories in a way that truly represents our realities.

Turkiye’s continued support in the form of technical assistance, resource-sharing, and capacity-building programs will be instrumental in ensuring that this centre becomes a leading hub for African media excellence.

A key pillar in Africa’s media collaboration efforts is the AUB Content Exchange Centre in Algeria, an initiative designed to facilitate the sharing of news, documentaries, and programs among African broadcasters and beyond.

We believe that TRT’s engagement in news and program exchanges at the Algeria Centre will not only enhance media cooperation between Turkiye and Africa but will also ensure that African content reaches a broader audience while allowing for greater visibility of Türkiye’s stories on African platforms.

As we look ahead, one of the most pressing issues facing Africa is migration. Unfortunately, the narrative surrounding migration is often dominated by misinformation and negative stereotype. To address this, the AUB is organizing its Summit on Migration, scheduled for later this year.

This summit will provide a platform to present the African perspective on migration, highlighting the root causes, contributions of migrants, and the responsibilities of the global community.

Given Türkiye’s extensive experience in managing migration issues, we believe your insights and participation would be invaluable in shaping a balanced and constructive discourse.

Finally, while we commend the choice of the magnificent city of Istanbul as the host of this important Turkiye- Africa Media Forum, we look forward to the possibility of an African nation hosting the next edition. This would further strengthen the bonds between our nations and provide an opportunity for the Turkiye media industry to engage directly with Africa’s dynamic media landscape.

Ladies and gentlemen, our partnership with Turkiye has already yielded remarkable achievements, and we are confident that with continued collaboration, we can take even greater steps together.

We deeply appreciate the ongoing exchanges between AUB and TRT and look forward to seeing these engagements translate into even more impactful content sharing, co-productions, and capacity-building programs. The AUB Training Centre in Dakar stands as a testament to Africa’s commitment to media excellence, and we sincerely value the opportunity to work with Turkiye in realizing its full potential.

Distinguished Guests,

Together, let us continue to build a media landscape that is inclusive, reflective of our true identities, and beneficial to both Africa and Turkiye. Through mutual respect, shared expertise, and un-wavering commitment.

Thank you for

Merci

Obrigado

Shuhkraan