Misrepresentation of Africa in Broadcasting Media

Misrepresentation of Africa in Broadcasting Media

Abstract of Misrepresentation of Africa in Broadcasting Media

This study was carried out to examine the misrepresentation of africa in broadcasting media. Specifically, the study examined  examine the advent of broadcasting media. The study also  investigate the misrepresentation of Africa in broadcasting media. Lastly, the study  find out a brief history of Africa. The study employed the historical research design. The findings revealed that broadcasters have a duty to report and interpret developmental strides of Africa to the western world in other to better understand the developmental steps been taken in Africa. Also negative stories of poverty, hunger, war, and corruption, is the most consistent kind of stories reported by the media. This was seen as a result of misconceptions of Africa and Africans, fixed perceptions and existing stereotypes of Africa. The study thereby recommend that broadcasting commission ,reporters, and journalist should get their fact right before  publishing any news about Africa. Also there is need to enlighten the media on happenings in Africa in other to reduce the misrepresentation of Africans to the western world.

Chapter One of Misrepresentation of Africa in Broadcasting Media

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Communication has been an effective tool of conveying knowledge throughout history. In reality, communication has evolved into an infrastructure for information flow across all industries. Fabian is a character in the film Fabian (2013). Radio broadcasting, in particular, has made significant contributions in this field. This is mostly because to its broad reach and capacity to reach everywhere; humans can work on land, in the sea, and in the air. Radio is cost-effective when combined with its broad reach. A radio receiver may be purchased for as little as 500 naira or little more, making it affordable even to those without work. the Boyes (2013). In addition to these benefits, the current technological revolution has brought radio closer to Africans than ever before, since radio is now a standard feature of most electronic devices, including telephone handsets.

The issue is that developed countries, more than ever before, utilize new technology to distribute more information to Nigeria, much of which is not useful knowledge for developing countries but rather a universal feature of life that kills uniqueness and cohesiveness in our country Carstens (2015). These technologies foster information imbalance by limiting the senders of information to those who have control of high-tech information gear. Nigeria, like the rest of Africa, is shut off from what Africans do and what is African. Carstens  (2015).

The industrialized countries of the North represent the rest of the world in a variety of ways, including as news coverage of good advances and scientific achievements; medicine, health, politics, sports, government, and the economy are presented solely to the extent that these fields favor them. Culture and cultural features are stressed as important areas of concern since culture encompasses many societal difficulties; yet, there seems to be a man-made rift being created between the industrialized North and the developing or underdeveloped South, which is intolerable Franks (2014). Ultimately, the South is represented as an area plagued by hunger, sickness, and economic disarray, as well as war, starvation, government corruption, bureaucracy, inefficiency, disaster, military coups, earthquakes, and national calamities. In the industrialized media, every unpleasant occurrence or event becomes breaking news. Franks(2014). How much of the North’s good successes or improvements are reported? This reminds me of the discussion about bias in media coverage of national and international cultural and news flows. However, a careful examination of news reports on the South raises the question of whether the bias in recorded events and the poor representation of the South by industrialized countries is genuinely harmful. What can our radio stations do if these claims are an intentional effort to depict the South in an unfavorable light? This is the main point of the paper. Since the 1970s and 1980s, when the New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO) debate centered on the nature and content, direction, quality, quantity, fairness, balance, and objectivity in the transnational flow of information that is dominated by the media of the industrialized North, developing countries have clamoured for social equity and justice in information dissemination and have called for a restructuring of global communication systems Michira (2002). Although this has not been reached, there is now optimism for Africa as communication technology continues to change or expand on a daily basis, both numerically and qualitatively. The good news is that, because to the overabundance of information technology, Nigerians today have greater access to information broadcasting capabilities than only access to western broadcast materials. This is an excellent chance to bundle and provide additional information about how one wants to be seen. Only then can the Western world have a better understanding of Africa.

Statement of the problem

Despite  tagging Africa as the “Dark Continent” and the media’s branding of Africa as the “untamed jungle,” African nations continue to be energized by huge development and economic potential. At the same time, the continent retains a certain charm and mystery. Fabian is a character in the film Fabian (2013). African countries continue to be a vital component of a fast-moving trend of urbanization and globalization. In relation to the continent’s history and worldwide beliefs about the continent, the media misrepresents African nations. Because it mostly depicts pictures of murder, destruction, and poverty in Africa, media photography may operate as a near-constant stream of visual propaganda. Harth is a character in the game Harth (2012). Unfortunately, such news coverage may contribute to the spread of misinformation and preconceptions. As a result of this emphasis, success stories, development initiatives, and national progress get less attention than media distortion of African nations. For example, terrorism, starvation, sickness, political conflicts, catastrophes, and other misfortunes account for more than 60% of the 6-9 percent of African coverage in the foreign media. Harth,(2012). The underlying causes of social and economic difficulties in African nations are often overlooked in news coverage.

The mainstream media plays an important role in international debate and has the power to shape public opinion and perceptions on major global problems. The media’s misrepresentation of African nations results in apparently erroneous coverage, which might be a hindrance to the region’s socioeconomic growth and development.