U.S. Media Coverage of Africa. A Media Source Guide, Issues for the '80s / David S. Wiley.

One of a series on topics of concern to the U.S. media, this guide is intended to provide journalists with a critical analysis of U.S. media coverage of Africa. Section I provides an overview of the folklore about Africa and the nature and sources of stereotypes and misconceptions about Africa and the Western world. Findings and interpretations of data from a national sampling of images of Africa held by 7th and 12th graders are explained. Dimensions of power, control, complexity, modernity, primitivism, religion, and race are identified and discussed as components of the myth that African peoples are uncivilized. Finally, this section presents a discussion of social, psychological, and institutional sources of stereotyping images. Section II offers an annotated listing of sources of information concerning Africa as a resource for the reporter or editor who wishes to achieve a high quality of analysis and accurate, balanced reporting of the continent. Organizations include university centers of African studies, news and information agencies specializing on Africa, organizations with specialized knowledge and expertise on Africa, U.S. government agencies, embassies/chanceries of African nations in the United States, research centers and international organizations, and repositories and sources of maps. A 26-page bibliography of key works on Africa concludes the document. (LH)

Community. ericd

Microfiche. [Washington D.C.]: ERIC Clearinghouse microfiches : positive.