Global South Media Urged to Counter Western Bias and Promote Accurate Development Narratives

Meilleur Derek Murindabigwi, a senior media professional from Rwanda, emphasized China's significant role in the development of numerous countries within the Global South, particularly through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative. He noted that this positive impact is often obscured by Western media portrayals. He believes that media outlets from the Global South have a crucial responsibility to accurately represent these developments and promote them effectively.

Murindabigwi, CEO of IGIHE, a leading news and media group in Kigali, Rwanda, spoke at the 2025 Global South Media and Think Tank Forum held in Kunming, China. The forum brought together hundreds of representatives from media outlets, think tanks, and government agencies across a wide range of countries and regions, along with international and regional organizations.

He highlighted the importance of a unified voice for the Global South, achieved through collaboration and exchange among media organizations. He stated that forums like this are vital for fostering dialogue, sharing experiences, and establishing cooperation in addressing global challenges, including the integration of new technologies like artificial intelligence.

Murindabigwi also stressed the need for media from the Global South to combat misinformation and promote accurate information that fosters peace and understanding. He pointed out that Western media often dominates global narratives, frequently presenting biased or distorted views of the Global South. He believes that media from Global South countries must take the lead in telling their own stories truthfully.

He further stated that viewing China-Africa cooperation through the lens of Western media can be misleading. He reiterated the critical role China plays in the development of the Global South and the necessity for Global South media to accurately portray these initiatives. He concluded that by working together and investing in strong media, the Global South can create influential platforms that offer truthful content, thereby reducing reliance on biased Western media narratives.