It is important to realize, however, that most people from African countries receive information about Africa via Western media, thus the Western media is responsible for not only shaping the minds of the American public, but of many African audiences as well (Hagos 2000: xi).  Hagos explains that Africa’s relationship with the West, based on exploitation, dominance, and dependency, has led to “the present state of invisibility or peripheralization” as Africa is declared powerless according to the leading world nations, which the writer places under the chapter of “The Legacy of Neglect” (Hagos 2000:5-6).  Therefore, the subject of Africa remains on the outskirts of the news until something determined “news worthy” is featured.  Many of the stories deemed worthy of report have some relevance and interaction with a dominating force (i.e. Western country), and is a reflection of how it will affect the West or is otherwise neglected – “the ideology of the dominant forces” (Hagos 2000: 7).

 

By examining recent headlines, features, and editorials of America’s leading newspapers in capital cities, a clearer picture of the portrayal of Africa in American media will be revealed.  In the past two years alone, The New York Times headlines included “Fiery Zealotry Leaves Nigeria in Ashes Again” (November 29, 2002), and “Infectious Chaos in West Africa” (January 12, 2003).  The Chicago Tribune featured headlines such as “Hunger Crisis Grows” (January 16, 2003), and “U.S. Presence Does Little for Djibouti Reform; Fraud, Poverty Persist in African Nation”  (January 13, 2003). The Los Angeles Times presented “Congo Strife Displaced 155,000” (January 5, 2003), and “Refugees, and Their Hosts, Grow Restless; Africa: Warring Factions Make Home Unliveable for Displaced Somalis” (June 16, 2002).  The Boston Globe published “Waging a Lonely Fight for Women of Mali” (December 8, 2002), and “Burundi Slaying Spins Web of Intrigue”  (December 1, 2002).  These headlines are obviously few of thousands, which portray Africa with the negative tint emphasizing war, violence, hunger, famine, and illness. Terms such as “rebels” and “strife” are published in big letters to catch the readers’ eyes, making the article sound flashy enough to inspire inquiry. Few articles report of the celebrating events and festivals in the African continent, as they aren’t perceived by the journalists or public as compelling.