Abstract

For decades, Western media representations of Africa have been framed through narratives of conflict, poverty, and political instability, perpetuating enduring stereotypes rooted in colonial discourse. Despite globalization and digital media pluralism, these frames persist in shaping global perceptions of Africa. This study critically examines how The New York Times and The Washington Post, two of the most influential U.S. newspapers, represented Africa between 2010 and 2015. Employing critical discourse analysis (CDA) grounded in postcolonial and framing theory, the study interrogates the language, sources, and thematic orientations that structure these portrayals. Findings reveal that Africa continues to be framed largely through crisis-driven narratives, albeit with sporadic “Africa rising” tropes emphasizing economic growth and democratization. Comparative reflections with African media demonstrate the persistence of discursive asymmetry: while African outlets increasingly adopt narratives of progress, the U.S. press remains anchored in colonial imaginaries of fragility and dependency. The study concludes that Western media’s portrayal of Africa functions as a mechanism of epistemic dominance, influencing international policy, public opinion, and Africa’s place in global consciousness. It calls for reconfiguring representational ethics in transnational journalism and advancing African media agency in shaping global narratives.

Key Words: Africa, Media Representation, Postcolonial Discourse, Framing, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Critical Discourse Analysis, Journalism Ethics.

About the Author

* Muhammad Hamisu Sani, Ph.D., is the Head of Department, Department of Mass Communication, Baze University, Abuja, Nigeria.

^JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 18, No. 1, Special Issue 4, January 2026, pp. 14-21.

© Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON).

Article Citation

Sani, M. H. (2026). The image of Africa in the U.S. press: A critical analysis of The New York Times and The Washington Post (2010–2015). Journal of Communication and Media Research, 18 (1, SP.4): 14-21.

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