From passive victims of ‘cultural imperialism’ to participants in multicultural cooperation: television programme exchange in Africa

Abstract

The television program exchange activities in Africa by the Union of National Radio and Television Orgamsations of Africa (Urtna) were studied over a nine-year period for this article. Qualitative and quantitative methodologies were used. Under the exchange framework, programs flows within Africa follow a two-stage model - from the stations to the Program Exchange Centre and then to the rest of the continent. The Program Exchange Centre acted as a gatekeeper in terms of technical and artistical standards. Slightly more than 25% of programs submitted for exchange were selected, catalogued, translated and exchanged. A statistically significant difference was found between Africa's regions in terms of program submission and selection by theme and category.