"The Hopeless Continent?" A critical comparative analysis of 2007/2008 representations of Africa in Time, The Economist and Financial Mail
Date
2010-03-29T11:07:38Z
Authors
Botes, Janeske
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Abstract
Abstract
This study investigates the representations of Africa in three magazines; Time, The
Economist and Financial Mail. Time and The Economist are American and European
publications, whereas Financial Mail is South African, enabling a comparison of their
coverage to be undertaken. The study focuses on representations of politics, economics
and HIV/AIDS. A multi-faceted, complementary theoretical framework of critical
political economy of the media, theories of news production and cultural studies is
utilised. This study triangulates quantitative and qualitative content analysis as a
methodological approach. The findings of this study reveal that representations of Africa
fall within three typologies: negative, positive and mixed. Negative and stereotypical
representations dominate, with very few positive representations detected. Many mixed
representations of Africa are presented, which offer both a negative and positive view of
the continent and its countries. Overall, local media perpetuate a majority of negative
frames of meaning around Africa and so support traditional and current foreign
representations of the continent. As much of the language and images used in African
stories focus on negative issues, Africa is consequently presented as a largely hopeless
continent.