Aggrey Nyondwa critiques the inadequate coverage of the DRC conflict by Western media, which often overlooks its complexity and international influences. The article highlights the media’s selective attention and the consequences of neglect on humanitarian aid and international policy. A call for more ethical and sustained reporting is made to ensure that the ongoing crisis receives the recognition and response it deserves.
Aggrey Nyondwa critiques Western media’s inconsistent coverage of the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Despite the crisis persisting for over three decades, international attention is sporadic and often superficial, indicating a failure in ethical reporting that overlooks the involvement of international actors.
For many Congolese, the conflict is not new. Over one million people have fled to neighboring countries while around seven million remain internally displaced. This humanitarian emergency often fails to capture sustained media interest, as the DRC has been labeled one of the world’s most forgotten crises since 2016.
In my MSc thesis, I found Western media frames crises episodically, only covering them during violent outbursts or when a celebrity is involved. Unfortunately, the recent media frenzy seems temporary, likely transitioning out of public concern shortly after the news cycle shifts.
The DRC crisis is frequently overlooked due to two main reasons: how media outlets define ‘newsworthiness’ and a prevailing hierarchy of importance based on geopolitical biases. Recent articles show a glaring discrepancy; The New York Times published only 52 articles on the DRC compared to 2,969 on Ukraine, suggesting some lives are less significant in the media’s eyes.
This media neglect impacts humanitarian aid and international policy, allowing the M23 rebels to gain strength unnoticed while people suffer. The recent capture of Goma finally drew attention, although earlier intervention could have mitigated such escalation.
Furthermore, coverage often oversimplifies the conflict as an internal power struggle, neglecting external influences. Recently, there is increasing acknowledgment that M23 is supported by Rwanda, which complicates the narrative and reveals Western complicity in the crisis.
Highlighting Rwanda’s role underscores the need for responsible journalism that shifts the focus from local governments to international actors who contribute to such conflicts for their benefit as well. This reporting gap fosters indifference among international communities, reinforcing systemic issues not merely caused by local dynamics.
The increase in DRC coverage is promising, but for lasting change, media should prioritize ethical reporting based on justice instead of sensationalism. There needs to be a shift towards thematic reporting, promoting ongoing conversations that delve into the root causes of such humanitarian crises.
Ultimately, the neglect of the DRC crisis isn’t an inevitability. As long as the media continues to dictate which conflicts are prioritized, the DRC will remain overshadowed until the next episode of violence forces a momentary spotlight.
The article emphasizes the need for ethical journalism that addresses neglected crises like the DRC. It highlights the importance of consistent, thematic reporting that doesn’t shy away from the complexities involving international involvement. The shift from trivial episodic coverage to comprehensive exploration of underlying causes is critical for fostering global awareness and actionable response against such humanitarian emergencies.
Original Source: blogs.lse.ac.uk
