Opinion & Analysis

Jan. 5, 2015
Welcome to the Newly Designed Africa-Talks.com

Welcome to the Newly Designed Africa-Talks.com

The goal of Africa Talks is always to put the audience first. To help meet that goal, I’m excited to announce the launch of a brand new version of the site. You, the audience, will get to experience a simple, clean, responsive and interactive site.

April 23, 2014
Examining the roots of biased reporting on Africa: Insensitive ReportingWriting betrays the notionof subjects as subhumanCreating Distance from Subjects 

Examining the roots of biased reporting on Africa: Insensitive ReportingWriting betrays the notionof subjects as subhumanCreating Distance from Subjects 

The cover of the venerable weekly magazine, the Economist in May 2000 said it all. Inside the outline of the continent of Africa, the magazine showed a photo of a young soldier with a rocket launcher slung over his shoulder. Above it was the headline, “The hopeless continent.” This example, though extreme, is not unusual... Read more »

Nov. 29, 2013
African Journalists Discuss the Challenges and Future of Journalism in their Countries

African Journalists Discuss the Challenges and Future of Journalism in their Countries

Earlier this month, I was able to meet African journalists from twelve countries who came to the University of South Florida St. Petersburg’s Department of Journalism and Media Studies through the Edward R. Murrow Program for journalists. The program is funded by the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. The journalists were from Botswana, Kenya,... Read more »

June 20, 2013
The United Nation’s Role in Africa

The United Nation’s Role in Africa

Shortly after Kieran Dwyer, the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations, gave a presentation about U.N. peacekeeping missions (watch video below), he said that the mission also receives “bad press” for some of its work in Africa. The phrase jumped out at me. Bad press is what happens when a Hollywood movie flops. In Africa,... Read more »