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- Description:
- In the wake of accusations and counter-accusations between the West and developing nations over the unbalanced nature of information flow, communication researchers and policy formulation groups have, over the years, been enticed to make decisions based on empirical findings. In this paper, the author presents findings of a study conducted on four leading Nigerian newspapers over a one-year period. His conclusion is that the media in Africa are equally to blame for perpetrating a negative image of the continent, and that the continent can only benefit from a new and more equitable international communication order by re-examining her values. The paper warns that devoting undue attention to conflict, crime and disasters at the expense of the region's efforts, policies and programmes aimed at advancing the people's welfare, negates the very principle of balanced reporting which Africa so much craves for.
- Date Issued:
- 1995-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Date Issued:
- 1988-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Description:
- The thesis of this paper is that the information superhighway, largely represented by the Internet is not the panacea for all communication problems today, it holds great promise for linking many parts of the world. Unfortunately for the South, and Africa in particular, the increased ease of global communication has not reduced the quantity and intensity of negative news about them. The paper cites instances where the Western media have capitalised on negative aspects of Africa. This state of affairs, has led to the fuelling of Afro-pessimism by non-Africans and Africans alike. Although the prospects for change exist, the absence of serious approaches by African states will reduce the pace of progress. Diplomacy, national news management, public relations, and non-govemmental organisations are some of the approaches being adopted by individual states, each with varying degrees of success.
- Date Issued:
- 1995-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Description:
- This is a study on the global news flow controversy. It is a preliminary report of a case study of some selected American readers and journalists. The study was aimed at finding out if there is a general agreement between American journalists and their readers on the kind of African news that is important and interesting to American readers. The research method used was sample survey. An initial sample of 200 readers and 40 journalists were randomly selected for the study. Only 72 readers and 16 journalists completed and returned the questionnaire sent to them by mail. Four newspapers were included in the study. The study found, among other things, that most of the readers studied read foreign news, almost all the respondents read at least one of the articles about Africa in the newspapers included in the study. It also found that more than half of the journalists and readers agree that there is more news about disaster and politics than about other types of news. Although both the readers and journalists surveyed agree that the stories on development activities were important, the majority of them also agreed that such stories were not really interesting to them. The study is continuing.
- Date Issued:
- 1988-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Description:
- The news selection process of African-American newspaper editors in terms of news about Africa, was evaluated by addressing two research questions: (i) How do African-American newspaper editors decide which African news to publish? (ii) What influences their decision about the quantity and quality of coverage? A two-page questionnaire was mailed to African-American newspaper editors in 1991 and 1992. The study hypothesized that editors' perceptions of a foreign news event had a direct and significant impact on the way they process the news stories they receive daily. The study reveals that gatekeeping practices of African-American newspaper editors were basically similar to those of other western editors. This was not surprising given the similarity in their education, environment and newsroom socialization. The African-American newspaper editors are distinct, however, in subject matter of reporting. African-American newspaper editors think though, that positive involvement of the United States in the affairs of African countries would positively influence the education of the American public about the heritage of African-Americans. The reporting and issues in African-American newspapers were also investigated.
- Date Issued:
- 1994-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review