Mass Media and Challenges of Africa’s Development: An Analysis of Press Freedom and Access to Information in Africa

Abstract

More than ever before, the need for free flow of, and access to information as a necessary condition for the development of African nations, has become more compelling in the face of myriads of development challenges the African continent is contending with. The high levels of maternal mortality, and infant morbidity illiteracy, poverty and deceases, wars, crimes, and environmental degradation, as well as corruption etc, among African leaders, are some of the issues militating against the quest for the development of the continent. It is against this background, that this paper examines critically the challenges of press freedom and access to information in Africa. It contends that unless the environment is conducive for Africa’s information managers to freely pursue their legitimate duties of information gathering and dissemination without molestation from their leaders, the much talk about Africa’s development will only remain at the level of rhetoric. The paper therefore calls for the immediate review, and possible repeal of all repressive existing laws that are inimical to press freedom and access to information in Africa. Finally, the paper invites African leaders to accept journalists as friends and not foes, and as partners in the development process of the African continent.

Key words: Press Freedom, Development, Africa, Access to  Information