ADDIS ABABA – Journalists and media professionals from across Africa and Russia convened on Wednesday here for the International Forum of Africa–Russia Journalists.
The forum has emphasized the urgent need for balanced global narratives and stronger transcontinental collaboration in the face of a shifting media landscape.
Held under the theme: “The Way of Friendship and Cooperation,” the two-day forum was jointly organized by the Gorchakov Fund for Public Diplomacy in Moscow and ALPHA Dialogue, a professional education center based in Saint Petersburg.
The initiative aims to forge deeper ties between African and Russian media practitioners, fostering shared strategies to tackle modern challenges such as information monopolies, disinformation, and language barriers.
Speaking at the event, the Gorchakov Fund Project Manager Alexander Novikov, stressed that the forum is not just about building friendships but about “engaging in real dialogue that confronts both opportunities and challenges in Africa–Russia relations.”
He underscored the importance of strengthening ties through direct, interpersonal contact to build trust and promote mutual understanding.
In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald, , Sputnik News Agency and Radio African Department Head Victoria Budanova said the current global media environment is heavily dominated by Western narratives. “But this monopoly is crumbling,” she stated. “As we move toward a more multipolar world, voices from Africa and Russia must grow stronger, more united, and more influential on the international stage.”
Victoria highlighted the forum’s mission to create new platforms for effective collaboration, enabling African and Russian journalists to share resources, amplify authentic stories, and push back against misinformation.
“This is not just about media cooperation—it’s about shaping a more just and diverse information order,” she added.
The forum also addressed pressing industry issues such as fake news, media integrity, and the challenge of multilingual communication. Participants explored solutions for accurate and inclusive journalism, including training programs on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the newsroom.
“AI presents exciting possibilities for media innovation,” said Victoria . “But it also raises ethical and operational challenges. It is essential that we adopt these technologies responsibly and inclusively.”
Journalists from a wide array of African nations—including Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Ghana, South Africa, Cameroon, and Guinea—joined Russian delegates in panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions aimed at shaping a new era of media partnership.
Ultimately, the forum served as a springboard for deepening Africa–Russia relations through professional, diplomatic, and media-focused collaboration, with participants agreeing on the need for ongoing exchanges and joint initiatives that reflect a more representative global narrative.
BY FIKADU BELAY
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 25 APRIL 2025
