Western media pushing anti-Russian propaganda in Africa – expert

Western broadcasters have shifted their focus away from development projects toward criticizing Moscow, Mayya Nikolskaya told RT

Western media outlets are increasingly spreading anti-Russian narratives in Africa, Mayya Nikolskaya has told RT.

Speaking ahead of the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, head of a research program at the Institute for International Studies at Russia’s MGIMO University, pointed to CNN, BBC, RFI and France 24 as examples of Western broadcasters whose coverage has shifted away from development initiatives toward criticism of Moscow.

“They [Western media] used to focus more on development projects, now they’re talking mostly just about how Russia is bad,” she said, suggesting that this creates opportunities for Russian media to offer alternative perspectives.

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Nikolskaya also criticized France’s approach to Africa, arguing that Paris had become an increasingly unpopular partner in African states.

“There is a far-reaching consensus in the policy advice circles that Paris is currently very toxic, quote-unquote,” she noted.

According to the expert, former colonial powers must rethink their relations with Africa and consider “not just what they can take from Africa but also what they can give it.” She added that African nations now have greater freedom to choose international partners, including Russia and China, based on their own priorities.

Nikolskaya made the remarks during the Russia-Africa Media Forum, which opened in Moscow on Monday. Organized by RT in cooperation with Sputnik and TASS, the event brought together more than 200 media professionals and experts from 46 African countries to discuss media cooperation and Africa’s representation in international news coverage.

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The forum comes ahead of the third Russia-Africa Summit, scheduled for October 28-29 in Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to co-chair the plenary session with Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, the current African Union chair.