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Postcolonial Trajectories of Foreign News Selection in the Ghanaian Press: The BBC Remains Ultimate Reference

Fri, May 26, 14:00 to 15:15, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Floor: 3, Aqua Salon C

Abstract

The speed of homogeneous content distribution by global media organisations and their reception around the world have been cited as examples of cultural globalisation. Drawing on postcolonial critique and news value research, this paper unpacks the prevailing conditions that have facilitated these distributions and how these conditions have contributed to the negative reportage of Africa in the Ghanaian press. With content analysis, survey, newsroom observations and interviews, this paper argues that foreign news selection in Ghana is rooted in postcolonial trajectories and conventional power arrangements, which has resulted in heavy reliance on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The weight of influence exerted by the BBC alone on the selection process is not only enormous but also makes makes them an ultimate reference with no equal alternatives.

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