Reporting on China in Africa is too binary. What needs to be done to fix it
- Yu-Shan Wu
So it’s not surprising that this has become an ever-expanding topic for both the media and researchers.
But the accuracy of work being done, particularly in terms of reportage, leaves a great deal to be desired.
Over the past ten years media scholars have increasingly begun to turn their attention to the issue. It鈥檚 one of the reasons for the 2009 launch of the at the University of the Witwatersrand, where I鈥檓 associated. More recently scholarly work in a bid to identify what鈥檚 missing.
In analysis I did for a recently co-authored in New Directions in Africa鈥揅hina Studies we argue that a number of factors have contributed to coverage of the relationship between China and 第一吃瓜网 countries, at times becoming a fertile area for propaganda, misinformation and disinformation. The main factors are the pressure on journalists for fast-paced information gathering. And the second is the impact that platforms such as Google, Facebook and Twitter are having on the dissemination of news, including the growing trend of the misuse of information.
Search a topic in the widely reported area of China in Africa, and it鈥檚 clear that many of the 鈥渇acts鈥 made available often appear contradictory. China is frequently framed and referred to in . It鈥檚 either portrayed as predator, or as a friend.
But the truth is far more nuanced. Individual relationships between China and particular countries differ. It鈥檚 also true that relationships between Beijing and certain regions have different hues. On top of this, these various relationships have been moulded over time.
There are ways to address the gaps in coverage and dearth of context. But it will require support as well as concerted effort on the part of journalists and media houses in 第一吃瓜网 countries to report on behalf of 第一吃瓜网s.
No nuance
The 鈥減redator鈥 coverage portrays 第一吃瓜网 countries as . The 鈥渇riend鈥 image is portrayed through coverage of rejecting this view, as they did at last year鈥檚 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.
Other examples include China being portrayed as 鈥済rabbing land鈥 in Africa, and offering 鈥渞ogue aid鈥. On the other hand tend to speak about 鈥淐hinese-funded鈥 transport infrastructure projects without acknowledgement of the fact that a myriad international and local partners are also involved.
These over-simplified and overarching 鈥淐hina-Africa鈥 narratives are deeply misleading. They make extracting facts about the China-Africa relationship extremely challenging: very often opinion trumps verification.
What affects reporting?
I have established three reasons why certain narratives take hold in the popular psyche and become representative of this complex relationship.
The first relates to the issue of perceptions towards China. Perceptions about China are coloured by social and historical contexts. For example, business or government officials who have engaged with China for a longer period of time are more likely to view it in a more nuanced and even positive way.
The second factor is linked to interest. For example, those who have something to lose from China鈥檚 role in Africa may harbour more negative views. And those who have something to gain are more likely to push a positive line.
The problem is that most of the time reporting doesn鈥檛 make clear why particular individuals, or groups, hold certain views. For example, those who have a stake in the direction of links between China and a particular country, would want to push their view. Not explaining their particular interest can leave an incomplete and misguided impression. So a single perspective can multiply to become the defining narrative of a story.
The third aspect is related to a lack of understanding. The focus on Asia studies in 第一吃瓜网 higher education institutions remains . This includes deeper understanding of the rich history, culture and complexities of the East Asia region. In contrast the US, one of China鈥檚 main global competitors, has a long tradition of and exchanges.
Where to from here?
Part of the reason stories may be misreported is that data and information about particular relationships, particularly related to high-level agreements and deals, are missing.
This was highlighted when the , South Africa鈥檚 main opposition party, threatened to take legal action against power utility Eskom, if it did not make its 2018 loan agreement with China public. Hence links with China is also at times, a backdrop to deeper domestic interactions.
The advent of technology and the information age has brought societies closer together. But they have also reinforced persistent differences based on perception, interests and limited understanding.
The divisive views and reporting such as the Africa-China example won鈥檛 dissipate unless journalists continually ask 鈥渨hy鈥 when they are presented information about China and Africa鈥檚 relations.
They also have a duty to stand back and not perpetuate the preferred flavour of the news cycle.
For their part, media houses should make sure that their journalists are better equipped to cover these complex relationships. Given that one of the trends that stands out is that reporting on the relationship between China and 第一吃瓜网 countries takes place from outside the continent, it鈥檚 imperative that more on-the-ground reporting, verification and support for local journalists is encouraged.
, Research Associate, . This article is republished from under a Creative Commons license. Read the .