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- Description:
- This paper uses the Marxist postulatethat it is those segments of society which monopolize the production of knowledge and information which determine the general ideas and opinions that pervade society to analyse media coverage of Africa from the early days of explorers to the present time. It links the most salient images evoked by the mass media with the prevailing socioeconomic and political climates that have given impetus to current processes of ideological reproduction. Comparison of early reportage of Africa by European explorers and journalists (e.g. Stanley, Lugard) with contemporary media coverage of the continent reveals a persistent reference to Africans as barbaric, noble savages, communists and terrorists. Such references (images) have powerful ideological implications for the maintenance of the hegemony of a particular socioeconomic system over others. Just as they justified slavery and colonialism in the last century, such images now justify imperialism and military adventurism in Africa.
- Date Issued:
- 1991-01-01T00:00:00Z
- 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