By Kayode Adebiyi

Malam Ali M. Ali, Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), says the Global South Joint Communication Partnership Network should remain at the heart of member states collective resolve.

Ali added that as nation states bound by common objectives and interests, the partnership must also promote capacity building and advocacy in its media organisations.

He was speaking on the topic ‘’Amplifying Global South Voices through Partnership Networks at the Global South China-Africa Forward Closed Door Roundtable on Friday in Johannesburg, South Africa.

‘’At a time when the world is increasingly becoming intertwined, the Global South made up of nation states in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific encompasses  80 per cent of humanity.

‘’Ironically, rather than its voice resonating loud and clear in global governance, what we see is a region whose perspectives are often muffled in the din leading to decision taking.

‘’Now more than ever, it is time for the Global South to ride on the back of its Joint Communication Partnership Network to evolve its own unique story lines which do not require western validation.

‘’I had observed that after decades of journalism practice through the prism of  forces of occupation, a refreshing breath of fresh air is blowing through many parts of the Global South, thanks to the new storylines defined by indigenous nuances and framing.

‘’Indeed, far from its history of  all gloom and despair in most parts of  the Global South, new voices are amplifying fresh perspectives of our persona and those stories which matter to us,’’ he said.

Ali said that the various genres of journalism are becoming critical tools of deconstructing western narratives, throwing up immense possibilities for the region’s kind of storytelling.

‘’In telling our stories the way we want, in amplifying our voices in unison, we will have succeeded in helping to create a more just and equitable world.’’

Ali said that the narrative must continue in order to shape global narratives toward greater equity and mutual understanding under the aegis of the network.

‘’ln this light, we should consider starting a Global South Media and Communication Fellowship aimed at strengthening communication skills and narrative-building capacity among member media institutions.

‘’We must also consider a Communication Mentorship Exchange Programme aimed at facilitating peer-to-peer learning between communication units of member organisations.’’

He also called for a common digital platform that centralises and amplifies communication from across the Global South to create a multilingual website and social media network for sharing success stories, joint statements and campaigns.

‘’Last but by no means the least, it is important we initiate an annual communication campaign showcasing Global South leadership and innovation.

‘’By diligently and persistently doing our own little bit in our own little corner to push the frontiers of Global South, we will have succeeded in helping to create a more just and equitable world.’’(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz