World Day of Audiovisual Heritage
The power of audiovisual records in Africa’s development
In today’s rapidly changing information landscape, the call to urgently recognise and act on the importance of preserving audiovisual documents and digital documentary heritage carries a message that extends far beyond the cultural sector. It speaks directly to how Africa records, preserves, and communicates its stories and how this process shapes inclusion, development, and impact.
For decades, publishing and documentation in Africa have centred on the written word, policy reports, research papers, textbooks, and official records. These remain essential, but they do not tell the whole story of a continent whose knowledge systems are also profoundly oral, visual, and performative. In many African communities, history, science, and social memory are preserved not through books, but through songs, photographs, radio, storytelling, and film. To ignore these forms of documentation is to risk losing the richness of African experiences that do not fit neatly into text.
Reimagining the role of publishing
In the publishing and communication sectors, acknowledging the importance of audiovisual heritage is not about replacing traditional formats, but about expanding what counts as “knowledge.” A report that includes voices and images of local farmers describing how they adapt to climate change, for example, carries a different kind of authenticity and impact than a purely textual account. Similarly, archiving video interviews, community theatre performances, or oral testimonies ensures that diverse perspectives are preserved for future generations.
As digital tools become more accessible, the boundaries between publishing, broadcasting, and digital storytelling are fading. This convergence creates opportunities for more inclusive forms of communication. It allows publishers, editors, and development organisations to produce materials that are not only informative but also accessible, combining print with short videos, podcasts, infographics, and local-language audio clips. Such formats help bridge literacy gaps and ensure that knowledge reaches those beyond formal education systems.
Reaching the last mile
For those working to communicate development outcomes or policy information to rural or marginalised populations, audiovisual documentation is often the most practical means of bridging the gap. Visual and oral storytelling transcends literacy barriers and resonates across linguistic diversity. A community radio series, a subtitled short film, or even a mobile phone video can convey complex ideas in a way that printed materials alone cannot.
Using visual and oral storytelling is particularly relevant for Africa, where thousands of languages are spoken, many of which are oral or have a limited written tradition. By integrating audiovisual approaches into their publishing and communication strategies, organisations can ensure that information truly reaches the communities that are often excluded from mainstream communication channels.
However, accessibility is only one side of the story. The other is preservation. Too often, valuable audiovisual materials from project recordings to oral testimonies are lost after a programme ends. Without proper archiving policies, Africa risks losing not only its cultural memory but also its evidence of change and progress.
Preserving Africa’s documentary heritage
Recognising audiovisual materials as part of Africa’s documentary heritage means treating them with the same respect as traditional archives. It means investing in digitisation, metadata standards, and regional repositories to ensure that Africa’s stories, in all their formats, are preserved and discoverable. It also means training professionals who can manage these materials ethically and sustainably, ensuring they remain public goods rather than private assets.
At its core, valuing audiovisual documentation is about inclusion and representation. It ensures that the voices of people in villages, towns, and informal settlements, the voices often left out of official reports, become part of the permanent record of Africa’s development journey. By embracing audiovisual documentation and integrating it into the broader publishing and communication ecosystem, Africa can safeguard its stories, extend the reach of its messages, and strengthen its connection to those at the last mile.
