147: African airwaves

Today's story, from Business Daily (based in Nairobi), is really encouraging. Using data from a recent report, it documents the rapid growth of African media - from TV news to talk radio. Since many African countries deregulated the sector, viewer and listenership figures have soared. New technologies, including mobile telephones and internet access, have further heightened people's interest in accessing news and entertainment. The result is a much greater interconnectivity and awareness of current affairs across the continent, and some significant business opportunities - plus loud music coming from radios everywhere, apparently! And as the market gets more competitive, expect to see better quality programming too - well, that and American Idol, Ghanaian Idol, Zambian Idol, Rwandan Idol... (Photo from Business Daily.)