By Marcus G. Little T hree well-known U.S. sources for African news in print have stopped publishing or are about to, The New York Times reported recently. Africa Notes published its last issue in December, Africa Report closed before that, and Africa News Service stopped its print edition in 1993, the newspaper says in a roundup story on U.S. media that specialize in African news and analysis. Observers differ on why the publications are failing, according to the article. Some say the publications lack a large enough readership. Others note that the financial backers of some of the publications had their own money problems.
Advertisers think the publications are too specialized.
Others say that the publications were fighting against each other for the same readers and support dollars, rather that cooperating with each other. Whatever the case, Africa News Service maintains its presence on the Web. The service gets much of its daily information package directly from African news organizations and reporters. Essence magazine advertises on the Internet site. Hits to its home page exceed 100,000 a week.