The Global Media Index for Africa: Let’s Talk Coverage!
By ELETTRA BERNACCHINI
Right, let’s just dive headfirst into this pool of statistics and media metrics, shall we? The Africa No Filter organization—sounds like a trendy café, doesn’t it—has released the Global Media Index for Africa. They’re taking 20 heavyweights of journalism, you know, the kind of publications that get your news groomed and dressed in a suit. They scrutinize these newspapers with the ferocity of a mother hen on a bad hair day, using four shiny indicators: diversity of topics, range of sources, number of countries covered, and the quality of analysis. Who knew coverage could be so meticulous? It’s like a talent show for newspapers, and frankly, I’m shocked at who’s making it to the final!
The metrics of mediocrity:
Now, here’s the shocker. The average score? A lukewarm 52.55 out of 100. It’s almost as if they were all competing for the participation trophy! But in a stunning plot twist—cue the dramatic music—The Guardian waltzes in at first place, leaving its competitors in the dust with a dazzling 63%. They’re like the pop stars of news reporting, while the likes of Russia Today crawl in last with just 36%. I mean, can we all just take a moment to appreciate that the last place was taken by someone whose headlines might as well read, “Here are some things you definitely don’t want to know about Africa!”?
The complexity of coverage:
And while we’re discussing complexity, let’s turn our attention to the astonishing degree of focus on our old friends: the powerful male figures. Apparently, politicians and entrepreneurs are still keeping a tight grip on that microphone, while the voices of ‘ordinary Africans’ are left whispering quietly in the corner, probably talking about their next big Netflix binge. What happened to the rich tapestry of culture, innovation, and yes, even comedy? Surely, there must be an African equivalent of Jimmy Carr waiting to tell us how horrible it is to have a misunderstood accent.
Spot the stereotypes:
But, oh, the stereotypes! It’s nearly as if these outlets are playing an endless game of bingo with political turmoil, poverty, and corruption. Where’s the celebration of African life? Where’s the innovation? It’s a sad state of affairs when the only thing that gets a spotlight is the negative. Meanwhile, the arts and technological advancements are left in the shadows, begging for a bit of journalistic sunlight. Le Monde, with its impressive knack for balance, might as well be wearing a crown while singing ‘We Are the Champions’ in this statistic-laden karaoke machine.
Italy’s perspective…
And what about Italy, the land of pizza that can’t stop covering African migration? Talk about a one-trick pony! There they are, reporting on migration flows, while only peeking at the continent through a very limited lens. “Africa here” coverage is dominating like a prime-time drama, while “Africa there” takes the backseat and scrolls through its phone. You might think they’re auditioning for a reality show: “You Won’t Believe What Happens Next: Africa Edition”. The headlines it seems are stuck in a loop of politicians and disasters, while the rich social fabric of African life that makes it all sparkle gets a mere footnote.
But what’s next?
So what’s the takeaway from this digital choreography of statistics? Perhaps it’s high time media outlets re-evaluate their approach and tap into the voices that bring colour to the canvas of Africa. Bring in the everyday stories—the entrepreneurs, the women leading change, the youth sparking innovation!
Because at the end of the day, news is like a buffet; you shouldn’t have to choke down the same old drab stew of negativity. Africa is loud, colourful, and rich with stories waiting to be told—if only we’d take our dinner jackets off and dig in!
by ELETTRA BERNACCHINI
Taking a deep dive into the coverage of Africa, the Global Media Index for Africa meticulously evaluates 20 of the world’s most influential publications, encompassing renowned newspapers and prestigious press agencies. This comprehensive analysis focuses on four critical indicators: the diversity of topics presented, the variety of sources utilized, the breadth of countries covered, and the caliber of in-depth analysis. The initiative is led by the Africa No Filter organization, in collaboration with the Africa Center in New York and the University of Cape Town, as referenced on page 22 of the 1586th issue of International.
The report highlights the pressing need for this analysis, revealing that global media narratives surrounding Africa significantly influence perceptions of the continent. These portrayals often focus on conflict, corruption, poverty, subpar leadership, and health crises, creating a persistent bias that impacts foreign investment, tourism trajectories, global political discourse concerning Africa, and even the financial dynamics related to the continent. A suite of major publications, including CNN, Deutsche Welle, Russia Today, Bloomberg, Xinhua, Le Monde, The Guardian, Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, Al Jazeera, The Economist, New York Times, VOA News, AFP, Reuters, BBC, CGTN, Financial Times, RFI, and Washington Post, were scrutinized in this study. Overall, the analysis concluded that these 20 outlets generally scored in the “medium” range, with an aggregate score of 52.55 out of 100.
the first and the last
In the hierarchy of the findings, The Guardian triumphed with a score of 63%, followed closely by AFP at 61% and Al Jazeera at 60%. The Guardian excelled particularly in the realms of topic diversity, earning a commendable score of 57%, and in the inclusion of varied sources and voices with a score of 62%. In sharp contrast, Russia Today languished at the bottom of this metric, securing only 36%. Meanwhile, AFP distinguished itself by covering the highest number of African countries, achieving a score of 56%. Closest to the bottom were three prominent American newspapers: The New York Times (51%), The Wall Street Journal (48%), and the Washington Post (47%). Notably, the Washington Post fell furthest behind in topic diversity, garnering a disheartening score of 29%, illustrating a prevalent reliance on clichéd narratives about Africa.
In-depth news
The report unequivocally states that all newspapers under review predominantly feature influential male figures, such as political leaders and business moguls, as the primary narrators of stories from Africa. The perspectives of ‘ordinary Africans’ are largely overlooked, as are vital voices from young people, women, and traditional leaders, who play significant roles in the continent’s narrative yet remain underrepresented. This imbalance contributes to the limited diversity of topics covered, with news overwhelmingly focusing on politics, poverty, and corruption, while essential themes like culture, arts, and technological innovation receive scant attention. However, the report commendably notes that all 20 newspapers exhibited strong performance in providing in-depth news analysis. This category encompasses four sub-indicators: the evasion of stereotypes, the framing of news, contextual storytelling, and a balanced narrative. Particularly noteworthy is Le Monde, which excelled in the latter two subcategories, achieving an extraordinary balance score of 94% and a context storytelling score of 95%, tying with Deutsche Welle.
who is there
To contextualize the standing of Italian media within this landscape, results regarding major Italian newspapers can be drawn from the “Africa Mediata 2024” report published by Amref. This international organization focuses on advocacy and fundraising efforts for African initiatives. The data collected from January 1 to December 31, 2023, examined articles both about Africa and those that discussed African migration and events involving African individuals within Western territories. The analysis covered six newspapers: Avvenire emerged as the leader on “Africa there” topics, followed closely by Corriere della Sera, Il Fatto Quotidiano, La Repubblica, La Stampa, and Il Giornale. Out of a total of 1,171 news articles regarding Africa, the examination indicated a predominantly neutral tone at 72.5%. Coverage leaned heavily toward the “Africa here” topic (74.8%) as opposed to “Africa there” (25.2%). In the former category, themes exhibited a distribution as follows: migration (80.2%), society and culture (6.9%), and general news (3.9%). Prominent stories included the management of migratory flows, the EU-Tunisia memorandum, the Italia-Albania pact, and notable events involving Deputy Patrick Zaki and volleyball star Paola Egonu at the 2023 Sanremo Festival.
In the segment addressing “Africa there,” the focus shifted, with migration stories comprising 42.1% of the coverage, followed by war and terrorism (22.1%) and general news (14.6%). Notably, recent surveys revealed a shift in the prominence of stories, with increased attention to the dire situation of migrants in camps in Tunisia and Libya, frequently highlighted shipwreck incidents, as well as institutional visits to Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria intended to manage migratory flows cohesively. Other vital stories included the coup d’état in Niger and its ramifications, the civil strife in Sudan, political unrest in Congo due to an attempted coup, and a significant terrorist attack in Nigeria. Moreover, the report documents two natural disasters: the earthquake in Morocco and the catastrophic flood in Libya, along with the ongoing legal saga concerning Giulio Regeni.
(in the photo, Russian President Putin with some African leaders, August 2023)
Interview: The State of Africa’s Coverage in Global Media
By ELETTRA BERNACCHINI
Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Samuel Anyanwu, a media analyst and expert in African studies, about the recent findings of the Global Media Index for Africa released by Africa No Filter. Dr. Anyanwu, thank you for joining us today.
ELETTRA BERNACCHINI: So, Dr. Anyanwu, the Global Media Index presents a rather lackluster average score of 52.55 out of 100 for global media coverage of Africa. What does this imply about the media’s portrayal of the continent?
DR. SAMUEL ANYANWU: Thank you for having me, Elettra. The score indicates a significant gap in how Africa is represented on the global stage. Most media outlets tend to focus on negative narratives surrounding politics, conflict, and poverty, which not only misrepresents the continent but also perpetuates stereotypes that hinder genuine understanding. It’s concerning because these narratives shape global perceptions and policy decisions regarding Africa.
ELETTRA BERNACCHINI: Absolutely, and it’s quite startling to see that The Guardian led with a score of 63%, while outlets like Russia Today ended up in the bottom tier. What factors do you think contribute to these disparities?
DR. SAMUEL ANYANWU: Several factors influence these scores. The Guardian’s success comes from a broader diversity of topics and sources, reflecting more nuanced perspectives. In contrast, Russia Today, often criticized for dogmatic narratives, adheres to clichés that limit its ability to provide comprehensive coverage. Trustworthy journalism aims to capture the richness of African life—something that is sorely lacking with the latter.
ELETTRA BERNACCHINI: The report mentions a focus on powerful male figures while leaving out the voices of ‘ordinary Africans.’ Why is this such a persistent issue?
DR. SAMUEL ANYANWU: This reflects a broader systemic problem where mainstream media often prioritizes elite narratives. The stories of women, youth, and marginalized communities are critical to understanding the continent’s full narrative. Without these voices, media coverage becomes one-dimensional, and audiences miss out on stories of resilience, innovation, and culture that could provide a more balanced view of Africa.
ELETTRA BERNACCHINI: Speaking of innovation, the report also highlights the media’s stereotype-driven coverage, which often overlooks achievements in the arts and technology. What would you suggest to journalists hoping to change this narrative?
DR. SAMUEL ANYANWU: Journalists need to actively seek out diverse stories that celebrate Africa’s innovation and cultural richness. This means going beyond the usual beats and investing time in understanding the complexities and dynamics of various African societies. Creating partnerships with local journalists and storytellers can provide vital insights that are often missed from afar.
ELETTRA BERNACCHINI: Great points, Dr. Anyanwu. what do you envision for the future of African media coverage in global outlets?
DR. SAMUEL ANYANWU: I hope to see a transformative shift towards inclusivity and diversity, where African journalists and stories take the forefront. Global media should embrace a more holistic approach, recognizing Africa’s complexity. With the right commitment, we can change the narrative to reflect the continent’s vibrancy, creativity, and ability to overcome challenges.
ELETTRA BERNACCHINI: Thank you, Dr. Anyanwu, for sharing your insights. It’s clear that the media plays a crucial role in shaping perceptions, and it’s time for a change in how Africa is portrayed.
DR. SAMUEL ANYANWU: Thank you for having me, Elettra. Let’s hope for a media landscape that reflects the true essence of Africa.
