Media of SEMAS countries: challenges and solutions in the context of the contemporary media landscape of the African continent.

This study is dedicated to the analysis of the current state and issues facing the media of the member states of the Central African regional organization CEMAC. The aim of the research is to analyze the current situation in the media space of the CEMAC member states, which is an integral part of the African media landscape. The object of the study is African media (south of the Sahara), and the subject of the study is the media of the CEMAC member states. The authors intend to examine the media in Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Chad, the Central African Republic, and the Republic of Congo, identifying their similarities and differences in the regional and African context. The authors also consider the tasks facing CEMAC structures for improving the media in the region and propose practical steps for developing CEMAC's information policy, new initiatives in international cooperation that meet the demands of the modern multipolar world. The methodology of this study includes methods of scientific generalization, scientific observation, critical analysis of media texts, and statistical data analysis. The works of Russian, African, and Western authors dedicated to the problems of media on the African continent and the Central African region, as well as accessible media texts from the region, government documents from the countries in the region, documents from international organizations, and statistical data bases were examined. The scientific novelty of the research is due to the lack of specific works in Russian scientific literature dedicated to the media of CEMAC countries. The authors established that the Central African organization CEMAC is currently focused on regional economic integration; however, achieving success in this area requires more attention to coordinating efforts to develop the regional media environment. The uneven development of traditional media, varying levels of development in digital media, the hegemony of leading Western media giants in the media environment of the region's countries, information sovereignty, and information security are the problems of the modern era that CEMAC member states must overcome. The authors recommend that the CEMAC regional organization develop a more articulated policy in the field of media in the region, which necessitates the establishment of a special coordinating body within the organization's leadership structures to develop a unified strategy for addressing tasks aimed at improving the regional media environment. Cooperation with Russia within the framework of the "Russia-Africa" summits and closer ties with BRICS countries could facilitate the creation of platforms for addressing media challenges facing CEMAC member states.