BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 11. The media play a
strategically important role in the process of decolonizing
consciousness, Executive Director General of Voice of Congo, Cedric
Monzia Aundu said, Trend's correspondent reports from the event.
He made the announcement at an international conference on
“Media and Decolonization: Rising Voices, Amplifying Narratives” in
Baku.
“When we talk about decolonization, we are not only referring to
the end of territorial occupation, but also to the decolonization
of consciousness and the information space. Today, the media play a
strategically important role in this process of transformation.
They can either continue to perpetuate existing stereotypes or
contribute to the formation of a more equitable understanding of
what is happening,” he said.
Monzia noted that we have now entered the digital age, in which
journalists are no longer the sole source of information. A new
category of participants in the information space has
emerged—digital content creators.
“As journalists, we are facing the emergence of new forms of
disseminating information about colonialism.”
“First and foremost, it should be noted that the media played an
important role in colonization and often disseminated information
originating from colonial powers. Today, it is our responsibility
to restore justice and convey the truth about marginalized peoples
and their local cultures,” he said.
Moreover, Monzia emphasized that the new information age has
changed the ways in which information is disseminated. Today,
people are informed through social media as well as through
traditional media.
According to him, the issue of decolonization requires an
alliance between journalistic integrity and the public influence of
social media influencers.
“Today, journalists provide documentary research, fact-checking,
and investigative reporting.
Influencers, on the other hand, have a wide audience, modern
means of communication, and know how to connect with the younger
generation. Combining these two approaches allows us to create a
strong alliance,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, an international conference organized by BIG on the
theme “Media and Decolonization: Rising Voices, Amplifying
Narratives” has begun in Baku.
The conference is the first platform of its kind organized in
Azerbaijan with the participation of media representatives from
former colonial territories.
The conference brings together leaders and representatives of
media organizations from former and current colonial territories,
journalists, political commentators, representatives of diaspora
organizations, experts in media and communications, representatives
of civil society institutions, researchers, diplomats, government
officials, and representatives of local media.
