Tuesday, January 20, 2015

BBC World News adds new weekly satire segment, What's Up Africa, with Nigerian vlogger Ikenna Azuike.


BBC World News (DStv 400 / StarSat 256) is adding a new weekly satire segment on Fridays, What's Up Africa, with the Nigerian-born vlogger Ikenna Azuike.

The 11-part What's Up Africa satire segments are shown during Friday's Focus on Africa on BBC World News as part of a co-production between the BBC and the Dutch media organisation Radio Netherlands Worldwide (RNW) where Ikenna Azuike worked as a producer.

In What's Up Africa the lawyer turned journalist Ikenna Azuike gives his satirical take on the news.

"I started What's Up Africa because I felt that a lot of the coverage of my home continent was either too focused on presenting images of war, famine and general disorder, or sugar-coated reports of Africa's progress," says Ikenna Azuike.

"Focus on Africa has always been pioneering, looking for new ways to engage with our audiences across a range of different platforms," says Kathy Harcombe, What's Up Africa producer.

"What's Up Africa fits perfectly with this ethos; it is irreverent and inventive and aims to give an alternative view of the continent. It opens up debate on topical issues."

"It is not just three minutes of video - it's the start of a conversation. We think that existing viewers will enjoy this new slot and hope it will also appeal to new audiences," says Kathy Harcombe.