Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa recently in BEIJING, China
COUNTRIES in the Global South have been urged to harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other emerging digital technologies to tell their own stories, shape global narratives and reduce dependence on Western-dominated media platforms.
The call was made by China Broadcasting International Economic and Technical Cooperation (CBIC) Deputy General Manager, Mr He Dongbo, during the closing ceremony of the Seminar for News Officials and Journalists from the Global South in Beijing on Monday.
China reaffirmed its commitment to supporting developing nations in strengthening journalism skills and adopting AI-driven newsroom technologies while helping amplify voices from the Global South in the international media landscape.
Thirty-four participants from Zimbabwe, Botswana, Ghana, Egypt, Türkiye, Cape Verde, Panama, Cambodia, Antigua and Barbuda, and the Federated States of Micronesia attended the two-week seminar, which focused on knowledge exchange, media innovation and strengthening cooperation among journalists from developing countries.
A key focus of the programme was the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in journalism, with participants exploring how AI can enhance news gathering, content production, verification and distribution without compromising editorial ethics.
Participants also toured some of China’s technologically advanced media organisations in Beijing and the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, where they witnessed how integrated digital newsrooms are transforming news production.
Addressing delegates, Mr Dongbo said it was time for Africa and other Global South nations to leverage emerging technologies to package, distribute and promote their own development stories.
“Over the past two weeks, we have demonstrated that technology can drive development and redefine the international media discourse,” he said.
“The challenge before us is not only to report on development but to become active participants in it. We must tell our own stories and elevate our influence on the global stage.”
For decades, much of the global narrative has been shaped by Western media institutions, often leaving developing countries underrepresented or portrayed through limited perspectives.
Zimbabwe is already embracing this digital transformation. As part of its digital-first strategy, Zimpapers recently commissioned a state-of-the-art integrated newsroom at Herald House in Harare.
The US$500 000 facility combines the company’s print, radio, television and digital operations into a single multimedia newsroom, bringing together editorial teams from The Herald, The Sunday Mail, Star FM and ZTN under one collaborative “super desk”.
Powered by AI-enabled technologies, automated workflows and data analytics, the newsroom has significantly improved the speed of news production, enhanced multimedia storytelling and strengthened the company’s capacity to respond rapidly across multiple platforms while helping combat online misinformation.
Speaking on behalf of participants, Cambodia’s Deputy Director-General of Information and Broadcasting, Mr Choun ChanPrearoun, applauded China for deepening media cooperation with developing countries.
“We are grateful that China continues to open its doors to us and foster mutually beneficial partnerships among countries of the Global South,” he said.
“The knowledge we have gained will help us preserve our cultural heritage while improving the way we tell our stories to the world.”
China is also expanding technical cooperation through its Digital Restoration and Enhancement of Archives and Media (DREAM) initiative, which uses AI and digital technologies to preserve historical archives, strengthen audio-visual production and improve media asset management.
Initially launched in Egypt, the programme has since been extended to Kenya, Senegal and Benin as part of China’s broader efforts to support digital media development across the Global South.
