Clean up image if you want positive coverage, Africa told

African countries were on Friday asked to clean up their image to receive positive coverage from the Western media.

Participants at the Pan Africa Media Conference heard that the continent was so riddled with stories of conflict, corruption and hunger that there was no way it could get positive coverage.

Delegates agreed that something had to be done and there was talk of establishing an independent African media, modelled along Al Jazeera, to champion the African cause.

The idea received immediate backing from delegates, including billionaire businessman Mo Ibrahim, who said more consultations were needed.

“Before we start complaining about unfair coverage, how are we covering ourselves? I suggest we employ more African correspondents who will report the continent as it is,” he said.

Prof Guy Berger of Rhodes University, South Africa said it was time the continent fixed the negative publicity portrayed by the foreign media.

He gave the example of the World Cup in South Africa, saying if nothing bad happens, the 18,000 journalists accredited to cover the event will write positive stories.

“But if it turns out to be a disaster, the story will change to portray Africa as chaotic, violent and a repressive zone.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: This version of the article corrects attribution on paragraph six. The attribution in previous versions was wrong and is regretted.