The thesis of this paper is that the information superhighway, largely represented by the Internet is not the panacea for all communication problems today, it holds great promise for linking many parts of the world. Unfortunately for the South, and Africa in particular, the increased ease of global communication has not reduced the quantity and intensity of negative news about them. The paper cites instances where the Western media have capitalised on negative aspects of Africa. This state of affairs, has led to the fuelling of Afro-pessimism by non-Africans and Africans alike. Although the prospects for change exist, the absence of serious approaches by African states will reduce the pace of progress. Diplomacy, national news management, public relations, and non-govemmental organisations are some of the approaches being adopted by individual states, each with varying degrees of success.
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