The Media’s Neglect of the DRC Crisis: A Call for Ethical Reporting
Aggrey Nyondwa highlights the superficial coverage of the DRC conflict by Western media, emphasizing the need for sustained and ethical reporting. The DRC has remained overlooked despite a protracted humanitarian crisis as its media presence pales in comparison to other global conflicts. Addressing the issue requires a shift in media framing and a deeper exploration of the underlying complexities of the crisis.
Aggrey Nyondwa critiques the Western media’s inconsistent and surface-level coverage of the protracted conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He emphasizes the necessity for a more continuous and ethical approach to reporting which acknowledges the influence of international actors in exacerbating the crisis. The media frame of humanitarian crises, often deemed “too far away,” results in sporadic reporting that fails to reflect the ongoing struggles faced by Congolese citizens, who have lived in conflict for over three decades.
Despite numerous crises in the DRC, the international media appears to have largely neglected the situation. Over 1 million Congolese have sought refuge in neighboring countries, while 7 million remain displaced internally. Since 2016, the DRC has frequently been cited among the world’s most overlooked crises, which raises concerns about the media’s engagement with such significant humanitarian issues.
Nyondwa’s research explored how Western media, particularly in the UK, frames forgotten crises like the one in the DRC. He found that episodic framing—a pattern that highlights crises only during dramatic moments—leads to a lack of sustained coverage. This recent surge in media attention regarding the DRC could reflect another fleeting moment in the news cycle rather than a sustained commitment to understanding and addressing the crisis.
The media’s selection criteria for what constitutes “newsworthy” often overlooks significant issues based on factors like timeliness or proximity. This framework leads to vital stories being neglected, with the DRC receiving only a fraction of the coverage that other conflicts, such as the one in Ukraine, receive. For instance, The New York Times published 52 articles about the DRC compared to 2,969 about Ukraine within a year, underscoring an uncomfortable disparity regarding the perceived importance of lives across different geographies.
Moreover, when the media does report on the DRC, it frequently simplifies the complexities of the conflict, erroneously portraying it as merely an internal struggle. Acknowledgment of Rwanda’s role in supporting the M23 rebels marks a crucial shift in narrative, shedding light on the entangled interests of external actors. This insight challenges perceptions of the crisis as simply local chaos and points to deeper issues of international responsibility and complicity.
For future coverage to be effective, it is essential that the media embraces a different approach to reporting on humanitarian issues. By prioritizing justice over profit-driven clicks and shifting from episodic to thematic reporting, the media can delve into the structural factors that underlie such crises. This involves critically assessing the responsibilities of international actors and ensuring sustained attention to the lives entwined in these conflicts.
The plight of the DRC is not inevitable; however, continued neglect by the media will maintain its invisibility until the next wave of violence mandates attention. It is imperative that media outlets improve their coverage to avoid relegating important stories to the background, thereby securing much-needed awareness and support for the Congolese people.
In summary, the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) faces substantial neglect in mainstream media reporting. The media’s episodic and superficial framing diminishes the complexity and urgency of the humanitarian crisis faced by millions. To foster greater awareness and accountability, it is crucial that the media shifts its approach by highlighting the roles of international actors and prioritizing a more sustained, justice-oriented narrative. Only then can we hope to engage more effectively with this long-standing crisis.
Original Source: blogs.lse.ac.uk
