Journalists Must Embrace “Crusader” Spirit for a Freer Africa – David Hundeyin

The Founder of West Africa Weekly, David Hundeyin, has called on journalists who desire a more accessible Africa to possess at least some measure of “‘crusader’ inside them.”

Hundeyin said this in an interview with the African Liberty for its first edition of The Freedom Africa magazine, launched in Nairobi on Friday, March 8, 2024.

The Freedom African comes alive! ????
The magazine launches on March 8th 2024. Don’t miss out on stories that redefine freedom in Africa. Stay tuned! #thefreedomafrica #africanliberty #freedom #freedommagazine #magazine #africa pic.twitter.com/8J6Xu6KDjT

— African Liberty (@AfricanLiberty) February 21, 2024

Speaking on how journalists can make Africa more accessible, Hundeyin said that journalists can achieve that by first “having and expressing coherent ideologies that prioritise freedom.”

He continued, “In other words, one cannot criticise African governments for violating human, civil, and economic rights, and also believe that certain African dictators who regularly violate human, civil, and economic rights should be regarded positively. A consistent pro-freedom narrative is key.”

Furthermore, he averred that press freedom is still perceived as a bonus in Africa instead of a must-have for the continent’s growth and development. He asserted that the government are not the only one guilty of this ideology.

He said, “Large commercial interests, as well as non-state actors, also see much value in preserving the information-desert environment that continues characterising Africa’s media spaces despite cheap, widespread high-speed internet access.

Nobody likes a journalist until they need one.

To the West Africa Weekly founder, the biggest headache of an investigative journalist is the “sheer unchecked power that a hostile government can wield in trying to squinch one like a bug.” He said this can significantly impede the journalist’s ability to travel or perform daily duties.

“What I have found to be the most terrifying thing about this is that these governments often wield these powers in a way devoid of any real process or consequences,” the investigative journalist said.

Nevertheless, Hundeyin believes journalism is still a powerful channel for opposing the oppressive elites and authoritarian regimes in Africa.

He said, “As long as even one journalist with a sufficiently strong core of personal ethics continues to exist, journalism will never lose the power it has to challenge and hold power accountable.”

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