Rethinking Media Coverage: The Ongoing Crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Aggrey Nyondwa critiques the Western media’s neglect of the ongoing DRC conflict, emphasizing the need for more ethical reporting that addresses the roles of international actors. The media’s episodic framing perpetuates indifference to the humanitarian crisis, which has persisted for over 30 years. Acknowledging external influences like Rwanda’s involvement is crucial for accurate reporting and responsibility assignment.

Aggrey Nyondwa critiques the Western media for its inconsistent and shallow coverage of the enduring conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), stressing the necessity for more consistent, ethical reporting that recognizes the international actors contributing to the crisis. Despite recent headlines, the DRC’s humanitarian crisis, ongoing for over 30 years, often receives minimal attention from the media, only resurfacing during spikes in violence or celebrity involvement.

For many Congolese, the devastation of this war has been a constant reality, resulting in over a million refugees and millions internally displaced. The lack of sustained media attention has solidified the DRC’s status as one of the world’s most neglected crises, as evidenced by the scant coverage it receives compared to other conflicts.

Nyondwa’s analysis reveals that the media typically uses episodic framing, highlighting the conflict only during significant events. This approach creates a perception that crises like the one in the DRC are transient, reinforcing the cycle of neglect as the media shifts focus to more sensational stories that attract viewership and engagement.

Additionally, the media’s decision-making process regarding newsworthiness reflects ingrained biases based on race, culture, and geopolitics. The stark contrast in coverage between the DRC and wars in countries like Ukraine underscores how certain lives and conflicts are prioritized over others in Western media narratives.

When the DRC does receive coverage, the media frequently oversimplifies the conflict, depicting it as a mere internal struggle without acknowledging external influences. Recent reports have started to highlight Rwanda’s involvement in supporting the M23 rebels, illustrating Western complicity in the situation, as well as highlighting the complex web of international interests that perpetuate the conflict.

In summary, the media’s sporadic and superficial reporting on the DRC crisis underscores a broader issue of neglect influenced by racial and commercial biases. This neglect has tangible consequences on humanitarian aid and international response. To foster meaningful change, media organizations must adopt a more systemic approach, focusing on ethical reporting that emphasizes justice and accountability in covering humanitarian crises.

Original Source: blogs.lse.ac.uk