Problematic aspects of U.S. press coverage of Africa

Abstract

This paper addresses problematic aspects of U.S. press coverage of Africa. The paper consists of an historical overview of the role of Western-style journalism in Africa during the Colonial era, and a presentation of the most important contemporary criticisms of U.S. press coverage of Africa. The primary objective of the paper is to focus attention on a set of biases and traditions that must be eliminated before the U.S. press can begin to fulfill its responsibility for providing consistently balanced and accurate reportage about Africa.

The significance of the paper's subject can probably be best understood within the context of the ties which bind the U.S. and Africa. These include the expanding network of financial, cultural and geopolitical relations critical to the best interests of the United States. For example, thousands of U.S. citizens live and work in Africa; Africa will eventually develop into an important market for U.S. products, and Africa exerts important influence in numerous international agencies in which the U.S. needs friends.

Given the complex ways in which their fates are tied together, it is clearly apparent that the long range interests of the people of the U.S. and Africa are essentially congruent. But in order for the best interests of each to be served over the long run, the U.S. must address and eliminate the problems presented in this paper.