How Western Media’s Negative Coverage Costs Africa $4.2 Billion

In 2003, a company called Africa Practice was founded to help businesses, governments, and non-profits successfully work within Africa’s political and business environments. They do this by providing advice on strategic communication and policy. Another organization, Africa No Filter, focuses on changing negative stereotypes about Africa by supporting storytellers and creatives across the continent.

Recently, these two organizations teamed up to release an eye-opening study titled "The Cost of Media Stereotypes to Africa." The study uncovered something alarming: negative portrayals of Africa in Western media are costing African economies a whopping $4.2 billion every year.

The Hidden Cost of Bad Media

The report shows that Western news often paints a grim picture of Africa, especially during elections in countries like Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt. While similar issues happen in elections around the world, Western media tends to highlight violence, corruption, ...