The Standard: A Case Study Approach to Framing Black Lives Matter in African Journalism

• In Event: The Global Experience of Matter: Remembering and Living #BLM Movements

Abstract

The proliferation of global media channels, especially in the digital realm, has played a pivotal role in the framing and perception of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. These online mediums, particularly digital newspapers, have emerged as powerful tools, providing in-depth coverage and offering transnational analyses of BLM. Such coverage has been instrumental in highlighting the movement's core messages and pointing out the logical fallacies in opposing viewpoints (Pampapura Madali et al., 2022). Dunivin et al. (2022) suggest that the widespread nature and global impact of BLM can be attributed to the multitude of mediums that amplify its voice and drive action.

Historically, racial inequalities and injustices towards African American/Black individuals have been pervasive. BLM, while rooted in these historical struggles, has transcended the broader civil rights discourse (Kilgo & Mourão, 2019). Its focus on the delegitimization of unwarranted policing actions and shootings of unarmed African American/Black individuals has sparked global conversations. Outside the United States, these topics have become contentious issues, resonating with audiences and stirring debates. Interestingly, while global discussions on BLM are abundant, there exists a noticeable void: the African viewpoint. Media sources across Africa, despite the continent's rich and diverse media landscape, rarely engage with BLM narratives emanating from the U.S. This absence is particularly striking given the movement's international relevance.

This study seeks to address this gap by honing in on "The Standard," a prominent Kenyan newspaper with considerable clout not only in Kenya but across the African continent. As a media conglomerate, The Standard extends its reach through various platforms, including the Kenya Television Network News and The Standard Digital. The narratives and viewpoints presented by The Standard are significant, shaping local discourse and contributing to global conversations (Kim & Shahin, 2019), especially on topics as critical as BLM.
Kenya, with its vibrant media ecosystem comprising 82 organizations, plays a central role in the African media landscape. These organizations, producing content in languages such as English, French, and Swahili, further enrich the media tapestry. Given The Standard's dominant position in this milieu, understanding its portrayal of BLM becomes imperative, as its narratives likely influence a myriad of other media outlets both within and outside Kenya.

Employing a rigorous methodology, we will conduct a textual and thematic analysis of articles from The Standard. By delving deep into these texts and subsequently coding them by theme, our goal is to unearth a deeper context into how The Standard frames BLM and associated issues. This methodological approach offers a window into the unique African perspective, providing invaluable insights that enrich the broader transnational discourse on BLM. While The Standard stands out as the sole African newspaper with extensive coverage of BLM in the U.S., The Standard’s narratives introduce the much-needed African viewpoint. This perspective will enhance our understanding of the global implications and nuances of the BLM movement.

In conclusion, with BLM protests and discussions taking place across continents, understanding the narratives of influential media entities like The Standard becomes crucial. This study, by examining these narratives, contributes to our comprehension of how global media channels frame (Brasted, 2005) and shape public opinion on pivotal social movements (Price & Tewsbury, 1997) like BLM.

Author

• Tira Murray, Georgia State University