Larry Madowo, a prominent CNN International Correspondent and host of the African Voices Changemakers series, recently found himself at the center of an online exchange with a particularly disgruntled Austrian viewer. The 37-year-old Kenyan journalist took to his X account (formerly Twitter) to publicly share multiple screenshots of emails sent by the critic, who has apparently been persistently complaining about the frequent promotions of Larry’s show on CNN.
The critic’s frustration was evident, accusing Madowo of “single-handedly ruining every CNN show” due to the recurring promotions of African Voices Changemakers, a show dedicated to telling inspiring stories of Africans making a difference across the continent. The critic’s gripe largely centered on the perceived irrelevance of African content to European audiences, even as CNN is an international news outlet.
Madowo, known for his sharp wit and sarcasm, did not hold back in responding to the critic’s unfounded complaints. In a playful yet pointed post, he addressed the situation head-on. “This guy is upset with me because I have a CNN show dedicated to African stories,” Madowo wrote. The post included screenshots of several emails sent by the Austrian viewer, all of which expressed varying degrees of frustration over the continuous promotion of African Voices Changemakers. In one of the emails, the critic lamented, “How many times a day do you have to advertise for yourself for us to watch your nonsense??? We are in Europe; we are civilized people! What do we have to do with your underdeveloped Africa? No offense, please; I’ve been to Africa myself, and it’s a gorgeous continent.”
Madowo, unfazed by the critic’s condescending remarks, took the opportunity to humorously address the irony in the viewer’s complaints. “He’s watching a CNN with ‘International’ in its name but doesn’t want to see any Africa coverage,” Madowo quipped. He highlighted the absurdity of the critic’s claims, emphasizing that CNN International is a global platform meant to cover stories from all corners of the world, including Africa. “I’m single-handedly destroying every show on CNN with my promo,” he added, clearly amused by the situation.
The critic’s emails, while expressing disdain for the show’s promotion, also contained contradictory remarks. One email went as far as to praise Africa as a “gorgeous continent” despite simultaneously diminishing its relevance to European audiences. The viewer also complained about the constant reminders to watch the show, stating, “The whole world is watching CNN. Can you explain what we are to do with your constant ‘JOIN ME, …AFRICAN VOICES CHANGE MAKERS’??? It’s really annoying! Please understand! With love from Austria.”
The lighthearted nature of Madowo’s response resonated with his followers, who quickly jumped into the conversation, offering their own humorous takes. Many praised Madowo for his ability to handle the situation with class and humor, with one follower cheekily commenting, “You’re doing great, Larry! Keep destroying CNN with those African stories!” Others pointed out the inherent contradiction of a viewer who claims to appreciate Africa yet doesn’t want to see African stories on a global news platform.
Madowo’s African Voices Changemakers series has become a pivotal platform for showcasing Africa’s diversity, innovation, and resilience. By featuring the continent’s most impactful individuals and their transformative work, the show has successfully challenged outdated narratives about Africa and offered a more nuanced and inspiring portrayal.
For Madowo, the critique appears to have rolled off his back. His playful responses not only entertained his social media followers but also underscored a more serious point — African stories deserve space on the global stage, and the promotion of such narratives is essential in ensuring that audiences worldwide are exposed to diverse perspectives.
In an age where media platforms are striving for greater representation and inclusivity, Madowo’s work on African Voices Changemakers is a testament to the importance of telling underrepresented stories. Despite the detractors, Madowo remains committed to amplifying African voices, continuing to highlight the continent’s changemakers — one show at a time.
As this online exchange demonstrates, Larry Madowo’s unapologetic approach to his work is not just about entertainment or sarcasm; it’s about reinforcing the importance of Africa’s place in the global conversation.
