• Subscribe to our newsletter
The Media Online
  • Home
  • MOST Awards
  • News
    • Awards
    • Media Mecca
  • Print
    • Newspapers
    • Magazines
    • Publishing
  • Broadcasting
    • TV
    • Radio
    • Cinema
    • Video
  • Digital
    • Mobile
    • Online
  • Agencies
    • Advertising
    • Media agency
    • Public Relations
  • OOH
    • Events
  • Research & Education
    • Research
    • Media Education
      • Media Mentor
  • Press Office
    • Press Office
    • TMO.Live Blog
    • Events
    • Jobs
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • MOST Awards
  • News
    • Awards
    • Media Mecca
  • Print
    • Newspapers
    • Magazines
    • Publishing
  • Broadcasting
    • TV
    • Radio
    • Cinema
    • Video
  • Digital
    • Mobile
    • Online
  • Agencies
    • Advertising
    • Media agency
    • Public Relations
  • OOH
    • Events
  • Research & Education
    • Research
    • Media Education
      • Media Mentor
  • Press Office
    • Press Office
    • TMO.Live Blog
    • Events
    • Jobs
No Result
View All Result
The Media Online
No Result
View All Result
Home Press

Global media tell only part of Africa’s story

New report shows which outlets perform best and worst, write Wallace Chuma and Trust Matsilele.

by The Conversation
September 12, 2024
in Press
0 0
0
Global media tell only part of Africa’s story

Stereotypes about conflict, disease and corruption persist/ Shutterstock

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Media coverage of Africa has always been dominated by narratives of disease, poverty, conflict and political instability. These portrayals, rooted in colonial histories, continue to shape global perceptions and policy decisions.

A nuanced and comprehensive analysis of how Africa is represented in global news could help change this. It could present a more balanced picture of the continent.

We are experienced journalism and media teachers and researchers.

Our recently published Global Media Index for Africa offers insights into how the continent is portrayed in global media. Produced by a University of Cape Town research team in collaboration with Africa No Filter and The Africa Center, the index is the first large-scale quantitative study of how the international media represent Africa.

Africa No Filter is a non-profit organisation that advocates for a shift in predominantly stereotyped narratives about Africa. The Africa Center provides spaces for dialogue and conversations about Africa and its diaspora across different platforms.

The Global Media Index for Africa addresses long-standing concerns about enduring stereotypes and skewed narratives about Africa. It considers, among other things, the depth of coverage, persisting stereotypes, and level of balance. The initiative seeks to encourage media outlets to adopt more balanced and diverse approaches in their storytelling.

Evaluating global media

The inaugural index is based on a content analysis of over 1 000 news articles from 20 prominent global media outlets, collected between June and December 2022. The outlets include CNN, Deutsche Welle, Bloomberg, The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal and Al Jazeera.

The articles were evaluated based on four key indicators: diversity of topics, diversity of sources, diversity of countries, and depth of coverage. Each outlet was scored on these indicators, providing an overview of their performance.

Our findings confirm the stereotypes that have always accompanied reportage on Africa by the global media. The reporting continues to focus on war, diseases, corruption and insecurity. The only noticeable change is in the voices that are privileged in these stories.

This kind of reportage informs persisting perceptions that other regions of the world hold about Africa, and why the continent continues to be viewed as a “troubled child” in need of foreign saviours.

These findings will be useful in helping the international media improve the way they cover the African story. They will also be useful for African and global policymakers and the broader public in pushing for nuanced coverage of Africa.

The African story is not just about conflict, corruption, poverty, poor leadership, bad politics and disease. It’s also about tourism, the youth demographic dividend and the value of its abundant strategic mineral resources in the technologically driven modern world economy.

Limitations of media coverage

Limited voices: The analysis revealed a gender disparity in news sources. Men, particularly powerful elites like politicians and businessmen, dominated the narratives. The voices of ordinary Africans, women and marginalised groups were notably absent.

The tendency of major media houses to ignore diverse story sources is inexcusable. Contrary to claims that such sources are unavailable, there are databases, in South Africa for example, that catalogue various minority demographics, including women, who can be quoted.

The UK’s Guardian scored highest for diversity of sources at 62%. Russia Today scored the lowest at 36%.

Limited scope: Most global media outlets covered only a handful of African countries in depth. This could perpetuate the notion of Africa as a monolithic entity.

AFP scored highest on country diversity. It covered 56% of African countries, while The Wall Street Journal covered the fewest, at 31% for the period analysed.

Limited topics: One of the most striking findings was the limited diversity of topics covered. News about Africa still revolves around politics, poverty, corruption and conflict. Scant attention was given to culture, innovation, technology and other positive developments. The Guardian scored top on topic diversity with 57%. The Washington Post ranked lowest at 29%.

The depth of coverage was one of the positives from this study. Despite shortcomings in topic and source diversity, most outlets performed well in terms of the depth of coverage. This included context, balance and avoidance of stereotypes. Le Monde excelled in providing context, with a score of 95%. The Washington Post lagged at 69%. Xinhua led in stereotype avoidance with a score of 97%, while The Economist was at the bottom with 80%.

Depth of coverage comparison across outlets

The overall picture shows that all 20 outlets generally performed well on the “depth of coverage” across the four sub-indicators of balance, context, framing, and avoidance of stereotypes. CGTN was the lowest performer, scoring 68%. Deutsche Welle and Le Monde shared the first place with a score of 94%.

Foreign media’s refraction of the African story often follows foreign policies of their countries. These have, for decades, viewed Africa through the prism of aid and not as equal partners. The views held in the 1980s remain prevalent.

Also, the representation of Africa is also meant for their domestic audiences who are already prejudiced by decades of misrepresentation on television screens and tabloids. These audiences have been reduced to viewing Africa at best as a tourism consumption market and at worst as the epicentre of wars, diseases and corruption.

Implications for global media

The results of our study highlight the need for a more balanced and comprehensive approach to reporting on Africa. Doing so would contribute to a more accurate and fair representation of the continent, challenging harmful stereotypes and promoting a more nuanced understanding of Africa’s complexities.

We recommend that the global media outlets

  • Cover a broader range of topics, highlighting positive developments in culture, innovation and technology alongside traditional news subjects
  • Include a diverse array of sources, particularly women, youth and marginalised communities, to offer insights from those directly affected by the issues being reported
  • Expand the geographical scope of coverage to dispel the notion of Africa as a homogeneous entity, contributing to a more varied and inclusive narrative
  • Provide detailed context and background information so that readers can understand the complexities of the issues being reported.

Grace Itumbiri and Rutendo Nyaku, master’s students at the University of Cape Town, were part of the research team and contributed to this article.The Conversation

Wallace Chuma, Associate professor, University of Cape Town and Trust Matsilele, Senior Lecturer, Birmingham City University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


 

Tags: AfricaCNNDeutsche Wellediversityglobal mediaGlobal Media Index for AfricaGuardianjournalismLe Mondemediamedia researchpressreportersreportingRussia TodaySouth AfricaThe ConversationThe EconomistWallace ChumaXinhua

The Conversation

The Conversation is a collaboration between editors and academics to provide informed news analysis and commentary that’s free to read and republish. The Conversation Africa launched as a pilot project in May 2015. It is an independent source of news and views from the academic and research community, delivered direct to the public. Our team of professional editors work with university and research institute experts to unlock their knowledge for use by the wider public. Access to independent, high quality, authenticated, explanatory journalism underpins a functioning democracy. Our aim is to promote better understanding of current affairs and complex issues. And hopefully allow for a better quality of public discourse and conversation. We aim to help rebuild trust in journalism. All authors and editors sign up to our Editorial Charter. All contributors must abide by our Community Standards policy. We only allow authors to write on a subject on which they have proven expertise, which they must disclose alongside their article. Authors’ funding and potential conflicts of interest must also be disclosed. Failure to do so carries a risk of being banned from contributing to the site.

Follow Us

  • twitter
  • threads
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Kelders van Geheime: The characters are here

Kelders van Geheime: The characters are here

March 22, 2024
Dissecting the LSM 7-10 market

Dissecting the LSM 7-10 market

May 17, 2023
Keri Miller sets the record straight after being axed from ECR

Keri Miller sets the record straight after being axed from ECR

April 23, 2023
Getting to know the ES SEMs 8-10 (Part 1)

Getting to know the ES SEMs 8-10 (Part 1)

February 22, 2018
Sowetan proves that sex still sells

Sowetan proves that sex still sells

105
It’s black. It’s beautiful. It’s ours.

Exclusive: Haffajee draws a line in the sand over racism

98
The Property Magazine and Media Nova go supernova

The Property Magazine and Media Nova go supernova

44
Warrant of arrest authorised for Media Nova’s Vaughan

Warrant of arrest authorised for Media Nova’s Vaughan

41
Navigating the AI tide without losing our humanity

Navigating the AI tide without losing our humanity

May 29, 2025
The marketing mission remains clear

The marketing mission remains clear

May 29, 2025
 Auditing masterclass lifts the lid on hidden costs

 Auditing masterclass lifts the lid on hidden costs

May 29, 2025
Media Moves: TASTE turns 20, Anele, Lira and Janine van Wyk are FEARLESS in new campaign; Alex Okosi new MD for Google Africa, Accenture Song wins Telkom business

Media Moves: Media24 unveils unified advertising and content team, Masego Matlotleng awarded Creative Futures scholarship, PHD wins Cell C business

May 29, 2025

Recent News

Navigating the AI tide without losing our humanity

Navigating the AI tide without losing our humanity

May 29, 2025
The marketing mission remains clear

The marketing mission remains clear

May 29, 2025
 Auditing masterclass lifts the lid on hidden costs

 Auditing masterclass lifts the lid on hidden costs

May 29, 2025
Media Moves: TASTE turns 20, Anele, Lira and Janine van Wyk are FEARLESS in new campaign; Alex Okosi new MD for Google Africa, Accenture Song wins Telkom business

Media Moves: Media24 unveils unified advertising and content team, Masego Matlotleng awarded Creative Futures scholarship, PHD wins Cell C business

May 29, 2025

ABOUT US

The Media Online is the definitive online point of reference for South Africa’s media industry offering relevant, focused and topical news on the media sector. We deliver up-to-date industry insights, guest columns, case studies, content from local and global contributors, news, views and interviews on a daily basis as well as providing an online home for The Media magazine’s content, which is posted on a monthly basis.

Follow Us

  • twitter
  • threads

ARENA HOLDING

Editor: Glenda Nevill
glenda.nevill@cybersmart.co.za
Sales and Advertising:
Tarin-Lee Watts
wattst@arena.africa
Download our rate card

OUR NETWORK

TimesLIVE
Sunday Times
SowetanLIVE
BusinessLIVE
Business Day
Financial Mail
HeraldLIVE
DispatchLIVE
Wanted Online
SA Home Owner
Business Media MAGS
Arena Events

NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION

 
Subscribe
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact

Copyright © 2015 - 2023 The Media Online. All rights reserved. Part of Arena Holdings (Pty) Ltd

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • MOST Awards
  • News
    • Awards
    • Media Mecca
  • Print
    • Newspapers
    • Magazines
    • Publishing
  • Broadcasting
    • TV
    • Radio
    • Cinema
    • Video
  • Digital
    • Mobile
    • Online
  • Agencies
    • Advertising
    • Media agency
    • Public Relations
  • OOH
    • Events
  • Research & Education
    • Research
    • Media Education
      • Media Mentor
  • Press Office
    • Press Office
    • TMO.Live Blog
    • Events
    • Jobs

Copyright © 2015 - 2023 The Media Online. All rights reserved. Part of Arena Holdings (Pty) Ltd

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?