From blame to context

How official responses influence negative media portrayal of country image

Bibliographic Data

ID21684702
AuthorsMichael O Ukonu (0000-0003-4797-4884, University of Nigeria, corresponding author), Luke Ifeanyi Anorue (0000-0003-0097-2021, University of Nigeria), Cynthia Emeafor (University of Nigeria), Nnamdi C Ajaebili (0000-0001-7570-3710, University of Nigeria, corresponding author), Nnamdi Ajaebili (University of Nigeria)
Year2022
Volume28
Issue1
Pages126-146
Publication date2022-01-02
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of International Communication (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1321-6597 • E-ISSN: 2158-3471
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13216597.2021.2013285
OpenAlexW4200487119
LanguageEN
References cited18

Several studies on international media coverage of developing countries have highlighted the preponderant negative valence of reportage, with ample blame on foreign editors for inexorably portraying Africa negatively. However, the penchant for blaming editors has caused an apparent negation of other perspectives in the portrayal of developing countries. The present study focuses on two side-lined perspectives: the contexts of reportage and official responses to negative image portrayals. With Nigeria in focus, the study urges a rethink of endless, defeatist criticism of foreign editors for negative image of developing countries. It adopts quantitative and qualitative content analysis of 486 negatively slanted newspaper articles on Nigeria in three international newspapers. Results indicate that negative reports about Nigeria were pitched within proven contexts of the routine, systemic and endemic. There was a significant relationship between type and extent of government responses, and negative coverage. In view of the contexts of negative coverage, the study concludes that Nigerian government officials can manage media reactions better by offering fewer rebuttals to negative media coverage, and being prepared to show more evidence of action to redress negative images

Blame · Content analysis · Criticism · Developing country · Economic growth · Economics · Geography · Newspaper · Political science · Redress · Social science · Sociology · Law · Media Studies and Communication · Psychology · Public Relations and Crisis Communication · Social Media and Politics · Social Psychology

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