What does Africa need?

What does Africa need? I’ll tell you what (I think) it doesn’t need. Africa doesn’t need any more negative media coverage.
When many people think about Africa, a lot of different mental visuals come to mind. If you’re a Westerner, you have probably been exposed to countless television infomercials about the poverty that is plaguing Africa. If that’s not your mental vision, then perhaps the image of jungles, wild life and a population of uncivilized people running around embeds your psyche. . A recent episode of the popular NBC drama "Medical Investigation" was about an anthrax scare in Philadelphia. The source of the deadly spores? Some illegal immigrants from Africa playing their drums in a local market, unknowingly infecting innocent passersby. Typical: If it's a deadly disease, the scriptwriters make it come from Africa.

Not to mention, the short history lessons about Africa that our elementary children are exposed to. I’ll never forget the shame that came across my child’s face when I told her that we were from Africa. It took years and years of positive reinforcement and instruction to undo the mis-education that the public school system had taught her. I decided from that point on, that I was the one who was responsible for my children’s outlook and pride about their heritage. Sadly, the masses have been exposed to far too many negative images of Africa. Africa needs more positive media coverage.

Carol Pineau, a journalist with more than 10 years of experience reporting on Africa, is the producer and director of the film "Africa: Open for Business expounded on the negative effects of media coverage. The effects of negative media coverage on Africa have affected its economy. According to the U.S. government's Overseas Private Investment Corp., offers the highest return in the world on direct foreign investment, it attracts the least. Unless investors see the Africa that's worthy of investment, they won't put their money into it. And that lack of investment translates into job stagnation, continued poverty and limited access to education and health care.

Pineau also writes, “Yes, Africa is a land of wars, poverty and corruption. The situation in places like Darfur, Sudan, desperately cries out for more media attention and international action. But Africa is also a land of stock markets, high rises, Internet cafes and a growing middle class. This is the part of Africa that functions. And this Africa also needs media attention, if it's to have any chance of fully joining the global economy.”