Media capture occurs when media outlets lose independence and are influenced by political or financial interests. It often results in news that is biased towards power and not public accountability.
Hayes Mawindi Mabweazara and Bethia Prentice, two news media scholars, have edited a new publication entitled Media Capture in Africa and Latin America : Power and Resistance. This book explores the way this dynamic is played out in the global South and how journalists, and citizens, are resisting. They were asked four questions.
What is media capturing and how has this practice changed in recent years?
Media Capture is the process by which media outlets can be manipulated, controlled or influenced by powerful actors. These are often governments or large companies. This idea helps us to understand how powerful groups can negatively influence the news media. This idea is not new. What has changed, however, is the subtlety and prevalence with which it is now used.
These groups include large technology companies that own digital platforms – like X, which is owned by xAI, (Elon Musk), or Instagram and Facebook by Meta. It’s important to also consider Google, a major search engine which shapes the content of news and the audience for many platforms.
The media is important to the functioning of democratic society. Idealistically, the media should provide information, represent various groups and issues within society, and hold powerful players accountable.
One of the main roles of media is, for example, to provide accurate information to citizens so that they can decide how to vote at elections. Or decide what to think about important topics. The impact of biased or inaccurate information on democracy is a major concern.
It could be that inaccurate information is more difficult to find because platforms and algorithms make it easier to get it. This can be a result of technology, either intentionally or unintentionally. Algorithms can also amplify fake news and misinformation – particularly if the content has the potential to become viral.
What is unique about media capture of the global South?
We have some thoughts on this really interesting question.
It’s important to note that the first media capture studies from the global North emerged at the same time as the 2008 Financial Crisis. One of the first areas studied was the influence of financial institutions upon business journalists. Since then, Research has been conducted in the US on the Capture of government funded media organisations such as Voice of America. The research also focuses on the capture that can be achieved by digital platforms such as Google and Facebook.
Scholars in the global south have called attention on the importance of media conglomerates when it comes to understanding media capture. In Latin America, for example, “media concentration” is a major problem. It occurs when a small number of companies own many media outlets. They often own other companies, so critical reporting about business interests can be a conflict.
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To focus on Africa, however, scholars have called attention on governments as a possible source of pressure for journalists and editors. It can be done through direct pressure, or by what we would call “covert pressure”. For example, you could stop advertising to media outlets or offer financial incentives for them to stop researching certain topics.
Researchers are worried by the impact of big tech on Africa. Digital platforms such as Google and Facebook have the power to shape what information and news citizens can access.
What are some of the key studies in the book?
In our book, we have included many interesting case studies. From Colombia, Brazil, and Mexico in Latin America up to Ethiopia and Morocco on the African continent. Here we will share some African cases to give you an overview.
The chapter on Ghana in the book warns that, although “older” forms of media capture have waned, transitional democracies may still feature more complex, nuanced media control. It can be seen in the government’s pressures on regulators, and even through their capture.
We see in the chapter on Morocco the dangers posed to media freedom by digital platforms owned and operated by global tech giants. It is called “infrastructural control”. This means that news organisations are dependent on tech giants in order to set the rules for democratic communication.
Researchers in Nigeria have also found a compelling case, as they explore the links between media ownership and patronage. Authors argue that Nigerian media is failing to fulfill its democratic duty due to its dependence on state-funded advertising and sponsorship. Ineffective regulatory mechanisms, and close ties with large businesses who own newspapers and print presses are also factors.
How can the media be prevented from capturing in the global South?
We do believe it is important to be positive! The resistance can take many forms. It can be achieved through policy and legal reforms aimed at increasing media diversity and transparency. Other times, social movements, journalists who do investigative work, and independent media continue to operate under the pressure.
The chapter on Uganda demonstrates that journalists working in conjunction with media advocacy groups can take strategic action to resist government media control and harmful regulations. To push back on one legislative change, for example, several groups created a temporary network named Article 29 (named in honor of the article from the Ugandan Constitution that protects free speech), and the African Centre for Media Excellence published a Report criticising proposed changes.
Read on: Western media outlets try to fix their stereotypical, racist coverage of Africa. When will African media do the same?
A chapter on Ghana shows how networks, such as journalists and media associations, human-rights groups, and legal organizations, can be mobilised to resist government influence. Ghana Journalists Association, Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association, and other organisations played a key role in bringing the media regulator before the court to overturn laws which would have led towards censorship. In Latin America, research in Mexico and Colombia found that professional journalism was a powerful source of resistance.
It is also important to rethink how we define the term capture. We risk missing out on the ways in which influence is used every day – as well as the places where it can be resist. It’s also important for citizens to be aware of the issues and pay attention when they consider how they consume news media, and which platforms they use. It’s sometimes called “medialiteracy” and it involves people knowing more about the sources of reliable news.
Here you can listen to the podcast of this book.
