African media must consider solution-based journalism

OSLO, NORWAY: As the world continues to witness the effects of the war between the United States, Israel and Iran, African media outlets have been urged to focus on writing that focuses on solutions to the various challenges facing the African continent.
The Middle East war began on February 28, 2026, after the United States and Israel launched air strikes against Iran in what they said was to eliminate Iran’s ability to possess nuclear weapons. The attacks have also led to the deaths of nearly 2,000 Iranian civilians and the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran has responded strongly to the attacks by targeting important US military bases and key installations in Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain, along with launching rockets at various cities in Israel.

The economic effects of the war have affected every corner of the world, with European countries, as well as African countries, beginning to feel the effects of the increase in oil prices after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key area for the transportation of oil from the Gulf region to various countries in the world.

While here in Norway, I had the opportunity to speak with Dr Florence  Namasinga, the Associate Professor at Oslo Metropolitan University about various issues concerning African media and its role in the current context.

Speaking about the perspective on how African media covers conflicts witnessed around the world, Dr Florence  Namasinga said it is good for African media to focus on providing solutions that benefit Africans.

“Africa has faced many internal challenges such as civil wars, government coups. The media should help provide solutions to these challenges by bringing warring parties to the negotiating table so that they can reach an agreement, that is the role of the media,” said the associate Professor.

Despite the world witnessing wars in the Middle East, in the African continent, some countries like Sudan where two rival military factions namely the Sudanese army SAF led by General Abdel-lfattah Al Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces RSF led by Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo have been fighting for power for more than two years now.

Dr Namasinga also noted that the African media should not be blamed for reporting in detail on what is happening in the Middle East.

“The ongoing war in the Middle East directly affects the African continent because Iran is among the world’s largest oil producer and this impact will affect the African continent, the media is right to report this issue at present but I would be surprised if after the next few months they continue to report this crisis and set aside important issues concerning the African people,” he explained.

Africa is the youngest continent in the world with immense opportunities that can benefit the continent with the role of the media being cited as important in supporting the development of the African continent.
Those opportunities include natural gas, oil and vast minerals in countries like Zambia, Tanzania, Niger, Angola and DRC.
“The media must focus more on issues affecting our continent such as corruption, bad leadership, we need the media to speak out on these issues but go beyond reporting solutions that will bring positive developments to the African continent,”.

Fredrick Nwaka is a reporter for the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) and is currently in Norway for a short-term journalism training programme.