New Books Network J. Siguru Wahut, "In the Shadow of the Global North: Journalism in Postcolonial Africa" (Cambridge UP, 2025)
Sep 9, 2025
J. Siguru Wahutu, an assistant professor at Yale University, delves into the intricate world of journalism in postcolonial Africa. He highlights the complexities of African narratives often overshadowed by external portrayals. Wahutu critiques the challenges faced by local journalists under foreign influence and emphasizes the importance of supporting indigenous media. He discusses the historical legacies of colonialism and their lasting impact on journalism today, advocating for a more context-sensitive approach that amplifies African voices in global reporting.
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Personal Spark From 2007 Kenya Coverage
- J. Siguru Wahutu describes seeing CNN and NYT coverage of Kenya in 2007 that conflicted with what his family reported at home.
- That experience drove him to study how Africans report Africa and to center African journalists in his research.
Rethinking 'Better' For African Journalism
- 'Better' is a fraught standard because it assumes an external metric and places extra burdens on African journalists.
- Wahutu reframes the goal: ask whether African journalism can perform differently given its local constraints.
Account For Professional Constraints
- Consider journalists' economic and institutional constraints before demanding more contextual reporting.
- Evaluate expectations against newsroom resources, word limits, and state pressures that limit reporting choices.
