African Language Newspaper as An Instrument to Advance Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

Mass media in Africa is an important tool for disseminating development messages, to inform and mobilise people towards mass participation. In African mass media, language is an important consideration because Africa has multiple languages and cultures. Language has a huge impact on socioeconomic development, and language cannot be separated from empowerment. 

The effectiveness of mass media in assisting society to achieve development is influenced by the choice of language in distributing messages by a media organisation. For mass media to be effective in assisting society in realising Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDG), educational and informative content on mass media must be in the indigenous languages of the majority.

This study explores how the development news feature as news content in the isiZulu language newspaper Isolezwe, through a mixed methods design using focus group interviews and content analysis. This study examines the coverage of development news in the Isolezwe newspaper.  The study aims to emphasise that African language newspapers can be used to advance sustainable development goals. 

The findings of the study reveal that Isolezwe newspaper publishes news stories on development issues. Development news stories covered in the newspaper include the following: women empowerment and children, social and moral development, education, health, and lifestyle. 

The study recommends that Isolezwe newspaper must publish news on other developmental issues such as climate change, conservation, and promotion of the environment; and creating partnerships for sustainable development.