Lacinan Ouattara is a web journalist with nearly 15 years of experience in the media and communications sector. He has been working for 10 years at Radiodiffusion Télévision Ivoirienne (RTI), a public service media group, where he is responsible for implementing the digitalization strategy for content and media. Today, he is in charge of online editorial content and the development of a 100% digital news offering via apps, video platforms, and social media.
In this interview, he discusses the creation of a new media event: the Abidjan International Media Forum, which will be held on June 23 and 24.
Why did you choose to launch an International Forum dedicated to the media?
After more than 15 years in the media world, I came to the conclusion that the media, and more generally, press companies, were having great difficulty implementing their digital transition. And this is all the more true in times of pandemic crisis. The media has many problems with digital transformation, particularly from a "business" perspective.
I quickly realized that there was no place to bring together players from the media world to discuss these issues so that everyone could exchange ideas and draw inspiration from successful models and best practices. That's why I decided to launch the first International Media Forum.
Is this a common problem in the sub-region?
It is indeed a common problem. Whether in Togo, Benin, Mali, or even South Africa, there are few places to exchange and share experiences on the future of media and digital technology. That is why I decided to create this major annual event.
Who will be participating in this first edition?
Local and international media, press, television, and radio professionals, as well as more "technical" players such as television broadcasting, production, and co-production companies. These players need to draw inspiration from successful digital transition models.
We will not be limiting ourselves to the French-speaking world, but will also be involving English-speaking media players.
Social media leaders are also expected to attend, with representatives from Facebook and Twitter, as they are stakeholders in issues relating to content and digitization, but also fake news, content creation, and rights management.
Together, we must create a more viable ecosystem.
What will the format of this forum be?
Due to the uncertainty surrounding the health crisis, we are still allowing ourselves time and the opportunity to adapt to the situation. We hope to be able to hold it in person, but also virtually, as post-COVID habits have changed.
What are the obstacles preventing African media from beginning their digital transition?
Whether it's local, African, or international media, the conclusion is the same: we need to embrace digital codes. On the African continent, not everyone has yet successfully made the transition or managed to take advantage of the new channels.
However, digital technology represents real opportunities, particularly to compensate for falling audiences, but if we miss this transition, digital technology and social media could become a highly competitive arena. It is clear that a large percentage of the population now gets its news from platforms such as Facebook. There is a real disenchantment with traditional media on the part of the public.
Digital is a source of income that should not be overlooked: it may require investment, but it is essential. Nevertheless, the health crisis has not helped matters. Some media outlets have not survived, while others have struggled to survive due to a lack of resources. Despite all this, how can the media recover? How can it regain its momentum?
This is the question we will address at this first edition of the International Media Forum, to be held in Abidjan on June 23 and 24, 2022.
