In the case of Africa in general, there is a tendency to exaggerate

Representing mass atrocity in Africa

Bibliographic Data

ID7502113
AuthorsJ Siguru Wahutu (0000-0002-4285-6048, University of Minnesota, corresponding author)
Year2017
Volume39
Issue6
Pages919-929
Publication date2017-02-13
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueMedia Culture & Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0163-4437 • E-ISSN: 1460-3675
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0163443717692737
OpenAlexW2587881502
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited29

Based on an analysis of print media and journalists’ interviews, this article examines the representation of atrocity and mass violence in Africa. It specifically focuses on the atrocities in Darfur and Rwanda and compares African and Western coverage of them. It argues that since representations (just as the knowledge that anchors them) are highly dependent on one’s social location, it is necessary to understand multiple representations of the same atrocity. Although the literature on representation of Africa has been critical of Western representations of Africa, this article argues that including African representations of the same provides for a more nuanced understanding. It uses interview data from Kenya and South Africa, both of which have had peacekeeping engagements in Sudan. Kenya and South Africa also have media fields that are more robust and freer than many other countries in the continent

Criminology · Development economics · Mass media · Peacekeeping · Political science · Politics · Representation (politics · Sociology · Gender Studies · Global Security and Public Health · Law · Media Studies and Communication · Middle East and Rwanda Conflicts

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