China Urges Global South Journalists To Tell Development Stories Firsthand
BEIJING— Chinese officials and international media leaders on Wednesday called on journalists from the Global South to strengthen cooperation and tell development stories through firsthand reporting, saying balanced and evidence-based journalism is essential to promoting mutual understanding and advancing global development, writes Winston Mwale.
The call came during the opening ceremony of the 10-day Global Development Initiative-International Media Youth Training Program in Beijing, which has brought together journalists from developing countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America to learn about China’s development experience and exchange perspectives on international communication.
Opening the program, Lei Pili, deputy director-general of the Global Development Promotion Centre under the China International Development Cooperation Agency, said the training offers participants an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of China’s modernization and development model while exploring ideas applicable to their own countries.
“I am convinced that through this training program, you will be able to develop a more authentic, multidimensional and comprehensive understanding of China,” Lei said.
He said the Global Development Initiative was founded on the principle of addressing development challenges through international cooperation.
“Overcoming development difficulties and achieving common development is the shared aspiration of all countries and the original intention of the Global Development Initiative,” he said.
Lei urged participants to study China’s development practices while adapting lessons to suit their own national priorities.
“I hope you will immerse yourselves in China’s development practices, better understand the core essence and contemporary value of the initiative, and draw on development theories and experiences suited to your own national needs,” he said.
He also challenged journalists to become ambassadors for stronger cooperation between China and developing countries.
“The Global South is an important force driving world development,” Lei said.
“I hope you will fully leverage your media expertise to share development stories, promote mutual understanding and strengthen cooperation among our countries.”
Delivering remarks at the ceremony, Gao Wei, a member of the Editorial Committee of China Global Television Network, said the Global Development Initiative has gained increasing international recognition since its launch five years ago by promoting practical cooperation that improves people’s lives.
Gao said CGTN has expanded into one of the world’s largest international media organizations, broadcasting through six television channels, multiple radio services, digital platforms and more than 1,000 social media accounts.
He said the network reaches audiences in more than 180 countries and works with over 7,500 international media partners through its global content-sharing platform.
Addressing the visiting journalists, Gao encouraged them to rely on their own observations rather than preconceived narratives.
“The best stories are often those that emerge from your own observations, conversations and personal experiences,” he said.
“I hope you will immerse yourselves in China and experience the country as it truly is,” Gao added.
“In the future, I look forward to seeing you present a China that is perceptive, multidimensional and dynamic through your keen insights and objective reporting.”
Representing African media, Alpha Karaga, chief executive officer of Star FM and TV, emphasized the responsibility of journalists to promote balanced reporting and constructive dialogue.
“We share a common responsibility to provide accurate, balanced and constructive reporting that encourages dialogue and strengthens understanding among our communities,” Karaga said.
He thanked the organizers for creating a platform that he said would strengthen professional networks and create lasting partnerships among journalists from the Global South.
Former CNBC Brazil executive Rafael Gomide said the workshop demonstrated the importance of allowing countries to tell their own development stories.
“As journalists and media leaders from the Global South, we know what it means when others tell your story for you,” Gomide said.
“This event asks us to listen to each other, work together in partnership and build bridges where others build walls,” he added.
The training program will feature lectures by Chinese scholars and policymakers, visits to development projects, media exchanges and discussions on innovation, governance and international communication.
Organizers said the initiative is intended to strengthen media cooperation among developing countries while giving participants firsthand exposure to China’s modernization, technological advancement and development policies.