IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL POLICY (JHSP )

E-ISSN 2545-5729
P-ISSN 2695 2416
VOL. 11 NO. 3 2025
DOI: 10.56201/jhsp.vol.11.no3.2025.pg121.136

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Western Media Representation of Africa: The Role of Bad Governance

Dr Ratzinger E E Nwobodo

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Abstract

The Western media's depiction of Africa has long been entrenched in a narrow and conclusively negative narrative. Even in the digital age, mainstream Western outlets continue to present stories from Africa through a lens that perpetuates outdated stereotypes, portraying the continent as mired in a "dark age"characterised by archaic practices and perpetual strife. This persistent portrayal labelled “single story" by Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie, reduces Africa to a caricature of poverty, conflict, disease, bad governance, and corruption, neglecting the diverse realities and progress across the continent. However, despite ongoing critiques from communication scholars and researchers, there has been limited exploration of how Africa's governance failures, particularly the corrupt practices of African leaders contribute to and reinforce this negative media representation. This paper argues that the prevalence of bad governance in Africa bolsters the Western media's negative narrative. The paper draws on secondary sources to critically examine how Africa have been represented in the Western media and how corrupt practices by African leaders contribute to a climate that perpetuates stereotypes and sensationalizes issues within Africa. Furthermore, the paper proposes that addressing the root causes of bad governance is essential in challenging the Western media's biased portrayal of Africa. By promoting strong and proactive leadership that strengthens democratic institutions, African nations can begin to counteract the negative stereotypes perpetuated by Western media outlets. This shift towards a more balanced and nuanced portrayal of Africa is crucial not only for accurate representation but also for fostering international understanding and cooperation.

keywords:

Western media, Representation, Africa, Bad governance

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