Only in Africa
On Over to You this week, one of our listeners, Henry Adumuah, takes issue with a regular new section of Network Africa. Known as "Only in Africa", it's usually the last part of the programme, and it consists of listeners telling personal stories - usually of some near-disaster that has befallen them.
I'm not a regular listener to Network Africa, but I've been trying to catch it recently, intrigued by "Only in Africa". The stories I've heard have sounded charming and entertaining - the kind of thing you might recount to a friend.
But Henry Adumuah thinks it perpetuates a negative image of Africa, and he told us in his email that "It is not only in Africa where bad things happen".
We were interested to know why "Only in Africa" had been introduced, so Rajan talked to Joseph Warungu, as you can hear in this week's Over To You.
Joseph is the man responsible for Network Africa, and he is sympathetic to Henry's view: "I'm one of those who actually feels aggrieved when I see Africa's portrayal, especially in the western media", he said. And that, he told Rajan, is precisely why he'd created a spot where the programme might get away from serious topics like politics, and let listeners talk about their day-to-day experiences. If you haven't heard the programme, take a listen and see what you think.
A topic that is definitely both serious and political is the trial of Comrade Duch, one of the Khmer Rouge leaders in Cambodia, which has been taking place in Phnom Penh. Resident ´óÏó´«Ã½ correspondent Guy DeLauney talked to Rajan about how the trial is being reported within Cambodia, and the restrictions and limitations placed on local reporters.
And on the subject of correspondents, in our Christmas programme we shall be talking to three of the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s foreign correspondents, all of whom have experience of living and working in different parts of the world.Ìý
So this is your chance to ask them a question. How did they get the job in the first place? Does it matter whether they speak the local language? Are journalists more at risk now than they were in the past? Whatever your questions, send them in and we'll put them to our panel.Ìý
Cathy Packe is the Producer, Over To You
Over To You is your chance to have your say about the ´óÏó´«Ã½
World Service and its programmes. It airs at 10:40 and 23:40 every Saturday, and atÌý02:40 on Sunday (GMT).
- Listen to previous episodes of Over To You
- Subscribe to the podcast
- Send the team your feedback by email (overtoyou@bbc.co.uk), telephone (44 144 960 9000), SMS (447786 202006) or by leaving comments on this blog.
Comment number 1.
At 27th Nov 2009, JEFFERSON G TOGBA wrote:Only in africa,a person worked for more than 10-25years yet he/she still remains worthless meaning ur takehome salary or wages minus saving plus pension scheme and retirement benefits equals more begging/living on handout from some friends or relatives.African are poor bcus nearly all who worked earned little or nothing to boast off at the end of his useful services rendered to his employers.in so during africa is very populated with corruption just to be counted tomorrow when you are not jobbing the next period.you could be sacked today n there is no labour court to take off issues on ur behave.Oh GOD Save Mama Africa
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 17th Dec 2009, OKU EKPENYONG ITA wrote:I THINK THAT AS AFRICANS WE SHOULD USE THIS FORUM TO SHOW THE BRIGHTER SIDE OF US TO THE WORLD. IF WE AFRICANS CONTINUE TO PORTRAY THE NEGATIVE PART OF US TO THE WORLD THAT IS HOW THEY WILL ALL SEE US. EVERY INDIVIDUAL ON PLANET EARTH HAS THE BAD SIDE OF HIM OR HER. IN AFRICA THERE IS VIOLENCE, GANGSTERISM, WARS, UNDERDEVELOPMENT, HIGH LEVEL OF CORRUPTION ETC ETC. CAN THE REST OF THE CONTINENTS TELL ME THAT THEY DO NOT ALL FACE THESE CHALLENGES AS AFRICA IS DOING. WHY MUST AFRICA BE THE BAD APPLE ALL THE TIME !!!!!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 20th Dec 2009, Ojomo wrote:Though it is probably unnoticed that when two or more people listen or communicate with each other, there is synchronization of movement between them. But the sound used to introduce Only in Africa triggers a rhythmic movement in Africans whether on the bed,in the kitchen or walking early to the farm.
As for me, that sound(introducing Only in Africa) vibrates a coordinated rhythm in me while i'm still on bed even at 3.55 GMT. What a beautiful way to start the day for me and for Africans: symmetrizing our bio-rhythm.
What of the musical sound Oliver Untukusi uses to introduce Network Africa? Beautiful rhythm; is it a child crying, leaves of trees blown by wind, women carrying firewood moving from the farm all in a synchronized, rhythmic manner..... This is only in Africa.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 21st Dec 2009, Paper wrote:In Africa it is very rare, if at all never, to get something done or given to you ontime. A person builds a house and makes an application to a power utility company to connect power to his new house. Three years after that application is made, no power is connected to his house, but then he recieves a six months electricity bill attached to a letter of notice for disconection of power to his house-ITS ONLY IN AFRICA
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
At 24th Dec 2009, voice_germany wrote:It is actually intersting to spot on such countries that are not familiar to us Europeans or even unknown. There is a wider range in terms of the standard of living, from the powerhouse South Africa to Darfour. Especially in 2010 with the World Cup, the international attention will turn to that continent full of rich cultures.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 5)