Saving African print and online media
Roland Bankole Marke makes a very pertinent and relevant call in this week's Pambazuka News to support African media organizations, not only through reading their articles and moral contributions but by giving more financial support to them. This call does not only come amid a financial crisis that threatens much larger media cooperations but also in relation to the long term sustainability of all free African media organizations. As he points out information is power however, the running of a news website costs money, and this money does not come out of thin air.
I’ve been toiling over the idea of making a strong case on why we need to support and protect black owned news media. Call them infant industries that might eventually blossom into powerful and profitable business entities, with a formidable voice that represents our goals, visions, and the life blood of the African heritage and psyche. These are perilous times for the global economy. It takes more than mere passion to keep black owned news outlets afloat. The days of freebies are quickly fizzling away before our eyes. It takes financial support to keep these publications alive and healthy.
I know first hand because I operate a website and subscribe to an internet server that does not offer free service. On average one pays about $50-$60 monthly for these services. If one is not computer savvy, there is the additional cost of the webmaster and antivirus protection. Hiring local and foreign reporters and editors has not even factored into the equation to keep the website operational and running smoothly. A printed paper means additional costs that must be evaluated on their merits. Being a publisher gives me the gravitas and authority to speak first hand. A publication that is worth the salt needs an adequate investment: sufficient working capital keeps it efficient and effective. The Krio adage: ‘Soup sweet, soup sweet, nar money kill am’ – what you pay for is what you get.
The recent decision of the Patriotic Vanguard management to start charging readers a monthly fee of $10 for both the print and online edition of its journal is a pittance, compared to the 5 year credible record of free, un-interrupted service and the timely manner in which it dispensed news to voracious readers. We have to take pride in supporting our own interests and communities that identify with us as a people, still struggling for freedom, identity and emancipation while seeking our destiny. Let’s think about our poor folk back home, who cannot afford to pay for the service. Information is power. The services of African news media have helped our folk with immigration and other issues in the West.
Our communities should offer sponsorship to black owned media in the West, making the services available to the less fortunate, free of cost. Most of those who cry foul or request better services are the ones who are chronically dependent on freebies. Nothing is free these days. Even aid packages require compliance with certain criteria. We must change our self-centered mindset, if as a people we want move from dependency to self-sufficiency, harnessing the seeds of dignity and pride. How about rewarding African entrepreneurs for their skill, sacrifice and hard work: Is it not what free enterprise advocates? Reward inspires motivation and the propensity to produce scarce goods and services.
Let’s become aware that even well established newspapers in the United States are at the brink of collapse or cutting back to arrest the nightmare of closing down? Here’s the reality check. The Wall Street Journal has created a list of 10 major newspapers that are most likely to reduce or shutt down their print edition and only publish online. This will change the whole dynamics of news reporting and consumption in the US. It is not going to be free. The endangered newspapers include: Philadelphia Daily News, Minneapolis Star Tribune, The Miami Herald, The Detroit News, The Boston Globe, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Chicago Sun-Times, The New York Daily News, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram and The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Who wants African news papers to become extinct in our lifetime? I believe other publications too are thinking of taking similar draconian measures to save themselfs from extinction. Survival and success are dependent on moral and most importantly financial support we give them. Advertisement helps to defray the cost of production of newspapers. But when the demand for advertisement space slows down drastically, or drys up, trouble lurks at the publishers’ doorsteps.
Are we willing to forgo the services of a formidable news portal by trying to swim ashore to save ourselves from drowning? The truth hurts but it uplifts the soul to search for redemption. Many of our folk would never have seen their work published or their voices heard without these media outlets. Do we want our voices to be silenced because we are too selfish to support our community initiated media? The choice is in our own hands, whether we want to dream of failure or propagate change that would elevate African publications to a new level of success, professionalism, integrity and prosperity.
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* Roland Bankole Marke is a Sierra Leonean writer, poet and author of three books. He is an activist for the poor, disadvantaged children and women and gives voice to the voiceless. www.rolandmarke.com
* Roland Bankole Marke © 2009.
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