Africa media hub to ease access to US officials

A media hub was opened by the United States in Johannesburg, South Africa, so that the US government message is visible, active and effective in advocating US policies, priorities, and actions with African audiences.

This was disclosed by the Director of the African Regional Media Hub Mary Deane Conners when she visited the corporate headquarters of Media Trust limited in Abuja yesterday.

She said the U.S will ensure that policy makers read papers like Daily Trust, instead of reading foreign papers about Africa because the news might not be accurate, out of lack of understanding.

She said President Barack Obama prioritized relationship with African countries and looks at countries like Nigeria as focus for foreign policy, “not just to make the message out but to ensure that he and his administration officials are hearing what is coming out of Nigeria.”

“What we do is to ensure that you have access to U.S officials about things you need which can be arranged with media in East Africa or South Africa on issues like food security, human trafficking and on continental issues towards election period, democracy, good governance,” she said.

According to her, “If you come to us and say you are working on U.S trade story, and you want high level official to speak on what is happening in U.S., we will connect you with the direct officer who can speak on the matter and if you have somebody in mind we can link you up.”

“We are not promising to link you up with President Obama; if we cannot help you we will be honest and tell you the truth,” she added.

The Deputy Director of Africa Media Hub Wangui E. Muchiri said “When there is a guest from U.S. in Africa, we can help you set up interview. If for instance the guest is in Namibia and you are not in Namibia, and you believe the interview will add relevance to your report, you can do it directly by telephone call or set up the questions and send it to me via e-mail and I will do it for you.”

- March 26, 2010 by Aisha Umar Agaie

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Source: www.news.dailytrust.com/index.php (accessed  on 26.03.10)