Dear fellow writers,
I'm writing a novel about the rise and fall of a female media tycoon. As part of her global expansion strategy, she teams up with a Chinese media organisation and sets up a big financial news network in Africa (ca. 2015). This really takes off when Africa becomes one of the hottest emerging markets and everyone wants to invest there.
Now, unfortunately I'm no expert on Africa, so I was wondering if anyone could help me with the following questions (the African venture is just one of several projects she undertakes, so it's not absolutely central to the novel, but it would still be nice to get the technical aspects right...).
1. Which African country and city do you see as a major financial hub for the region in 10 years' time, ie, where would she be most likely to set up her headquarters? My wild guess would be South Africa-Johannesburg, but maybe there's some other country and city that is less obvious but could emerge as a hub in the future?
2. What's the biggest financial news network in Africa now? And the biggest pan-African general news network?
3. Which are the main obstacles a Chinese-European media organisation would face in Africa- political restrictions on foreign ownership of foreign media? Accusations of colonialism, especially given China's increasingly active role in the region?
Thanks so much for your help!!!!!
Karla
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90,899 / 50,000
Nov 20, 2007 - 10 56
Hi Karla!
Your novel sounds great.
I'll give your questions a bash, but hopefully others will chime in too.
1. I would definitely say Johannesburg South Africa, but whether it'll still be CALLED Johannesburg by then of course is anyone's guess. Perhaps Egoli? (Lit Place of Gold) This is the name used by a couple of forward-looking bodies.
2. I have NO idea.
3. If the Chinese attempted to bring any form of colonialism it would be strongly resisted by the ruling government. Yes, I think there would be political restrictions on all foreign media.
Hope this helps.
Shirl, Port Elizabeth, S.Africa
----------Shirley (P.E., Eastern Cape, South Africa)
http://www.shirleycorder.com
34,356 / 50,000
Nov 21, 2007 - 02 44
Wow, thank you so much - Egoli. I love it. Ah, these forums are wonderful!
What are you writing about?
Take care
Karla
23,148 / 50,000
Nov 21, 2007 - 03 02
Hey Karla,
1. I agree with Shirl, probably Jozi
2. Media24 claims to be the biggest in Africa. Their website can confirm: www.media24.com with some pretty impressive statistics at http://www.media24.com/generic.aspx?i_BusinessUnitID=1&lang=End&i_Catego...
3. Despite the said resistance, there are other ways to control an economy. China is definately a challenger in my books. But speculation is entirely personal... They already have a large part of our economy as far as supply goes. Property is also another point to consider. So, as far as Colonialism goes... by definition (a policy in which a country rules other nations and develops trade for its own benefit - Encarta Dictionary), they are already doing it. We do not have the industrial structures to provide what they can. Thats presumably why the government did not kick them out outright, merely imposed limits on some products.
My tuppence worth...
----------Wayne
90,899 / 50,000
Nov 21, 2007 - 09 05
Mine is much less complicated than yours.
Nine people, each facing their own individual crises, are marooned on a tropical island off the East coast of Africa, when the luxury liner they are travelling on runs into trouble.
That's it in a tiny nutshell. :-)
Where do you live?
Blessings,
Shirl
----------Shirley (P.E., Eastern Cape, South Africa)
http://www.shirleycorder.com
50,165 / 50,000
Nov 21, 2007 - 12 23
Wow look, real people! I'm feeling very lonely on these forums, all the Capetonians have stopped chatting!
Karla, as well as Joburg I know Lagos is very big news at the moment - for a second branch maybe?
For question two, are you talking networks that are African, are that operate in Africa? There's a big difference. For all Media24s claims, the global networks still have much more reach and power. Mostly because they have more money to start with. Also, how are you measuring biggest - in terms of annual revenue, or how many areas they cover, or how many areas they distribute to?
Happy writing
34,356 / 50,000
Nov 22, 2007 - 08 43
Thank you, thank you, this is so fascinating. I live in Tokyo but I'm on a holiday right now (back in Europe), it's not doing my word count any good...I somehow thought I'd get up really early every morning to write. Ahem. Didn't quite work out that way.
Oh well, good luck to you all!
(So - the headquarters will be in Johannesburg-Egoli, the second branch in Lagos. Excellent!)
Karla