Africa Media Development

The World Service Trust (part of the BBC division I run) has just published the findings of a research project assessing the state of the media landscape in 17 sub-Saharan countries. The African Media Development Initiative reports a massive proliferation in Africa's media over the last 5 years, particularly in radio and print media.

However, the research team also found low professional, technical and ethical standards, insufficient training, low journalistic salaries and status, inadequate investment and widespread government control.

The idea is to create a Pan-African media facility, providing funding and expertise in support of media development across the continent.