Reportage of xenophobia in Africa: Implications for african unity

Prior to the attainment of independence by most African states from the clutches of the colonial masters, African media systems were vibrant in fighting against the colonial government. Hence, they vehemently stood against the discrimination and dehumanization of the African people until Africans were liberated. However, in recent times, the problem of xenophobia has engulfed most African states. Africans are now fighting and discriminating their fellow Africans. The study interrogated mass media coverage of xenophobia in African. It was discovered that the mass media has promoted xenophobia in Africa by the way and manner they reported xenophobic crisis in the continent. The study reveals that the press in Africa used derogatory terms like “smugglers” and “thieves” to brand African citizens residing in other countries. And this has promoted hatred among the African citizens. Using the framing theory, the paper underscores that the mass media has negatively framed the coverage of xenophobia in Africa. In most instances, the mass media have taken sides in their report. Based on these findings, the study recommends among other things that the government in Africa needs to focus on developing their countries, so that their citizens will not migrate to other countries to seek for better condition of living. In addition, the mass media should exercise restrain by not branding and referring to other citizens negatively in their coverage of xenophobic crisis in the continent. The media should rather expose these social ills and pressurize the government to deal with the perpetrators squarely.