” “"Recognising that the African continent is lagging behind in TV and technology does not mean to back off. We need instead resistance, long-sightedness, professional skills, local and international laws, satellite connections and funds to launch Catholic TV chains and programs in Africa as well": this was stated by cardinal Bernard Agré, archbishop of Abidjan (Ivory Coast), as he spoke today at the World Congress of Catholic TVs which is held until October 12th in Madrid. In public TVs, said card. Agré, "the actual participation of Catholics in TV programs is certainly a tangible fact". Many are the presenters, producers and technicians who work there. Relations with international TVs are more complicated: they are often interested in the African Church "out of curiosity, as tourists or even just for folklore", and "interests can differ": "We hope these professional teams will accept to work with the African professionals". The Ivorian cardinal recognises that there are few Catholic private TVs: only four diocesan projects in Tanzania, Zambia, and two in Congo, plus a handful of production agencies. Card. Agré concluded with the wish "that a new generation of African producers" will form and the Catholic TVs of different countries of the world will help each other.” “
