In the news media, such as CNN, BBC, etc, I have observed that whenever the continent Africa is mentioned, the picture that comes to bear is either that of a bust, a remote village or an animal, maybe a lion, a giraffe or something. I wonder why? Does it mean that we don't have beautiful places like a city or something to show, or is it a deliberate attempt by the foreign media to tag us as 'bush' people ar animals?
Guys what's your take on this? Have you ever observe this?

Yes. That's their normal racist tendency. You never ever see depictions of any clean or modern place in Africa in the western media.

Rossikk: Yes. That's their normal racist tendency. You never ever see depictions of any clean or modern place in Africa in the western media.

A lot of Africans don't even realize that there is an obvious attempt at making Africans look uncivilized and inferior. When you tell them that the western media does these things to portray Africa in a bad light, they ask you if Africa was in a good light to begin with or ask you why you like blaming whites for everything.

fellis:

A lot of Africans don't even realize that there is an obvious attempt at making Africans look uncivilized and inferior. When you tell them that the western media does these things to portray Africa in a bad light, they ask you if Africa was in a good light to begin with or ask you why you like blaming whites for everything.

Africans do realize that and they think you cannot do anything to help the wicked europeans change their racist mind. Let these retarded media folks die ignorant.

those are the touristy parts of africa, the other option is to show the northern part of the continent, they already do that with the pyramids et all.

as to whether africans are intentionally omitted to make them look bad, i have no idea.

tpia@:
those are the touristy parts of africa, the other option is to show the northern part of the continent, they already do that with the pyramids et all.

So there are only two things the western media can show about Africa; the 'touristy' regions and the pyramids of Africa? WOW

Because we do not have a media outfit to present what we want.

fellis:

So there are only two things the western media can show about Africa; the 'touristy' regions and the pyramids of Africa? WOW

I understand what you are alluding to (regarding the media and outdated views of Africa). Out of interest, sincerely, I ask you; what would you rather they showed?

I am not African (debatable), just intrigued.

Africans fail to realize that our natural endowment and ancient history is all we got, it stands us out, every other scenery is just a poor copy of the west.

We seriously need to work on our own identity, my two cents.

Flytefalls:
I understand what you are alluding to (regarding the media and outdated views of Africa). Out of interest, sincerely, I ask you; what would you rather they showed?

I am not African (debatable), just intrigued.

They can show these things i.e pyramids and tourist attractions. They can also show media that contain different sustainable development projects that are being undertaken or have been undertaken in Africa, they can show how well most of the businesses in Africa are doing, show beautiful and admirable aspects of African cultures and so on.

A lot of positive information can be shown about Africa apart from touristy regions and Pyramids in Egypt.

fellis:

They can show these things i.e pyramids and tourist attractions. They can also show media that contain different sustainable development projects that are being undertaken or have been undertaken in Africa, they can show how well most of the businesses in Africa are doing, show beautiful and admirable aspects of African cultures and so on.

A lot of positive information can be shown about Africa apart from touristy regions and Pyramids in Egypt.

That's a lot of conceptual ideas for a few seconds of footage. Producers aim to offer a visualisation before presenting the news piece. Africa is huge and progress is today, I agree, but usually producers will settle for images offering quick recognition for viewers.

The Caribbean is a beach, China is a wall, and England is London. Real change is time consuming. Africa is changing, and primarily, we pray the news reports it accurately!

Flytefalls:
That's a lot of conceptual ideas for a few seconds of footage. Producers aim to offer a visualisation before presenting the news piece. Africa is huge and progress is today, I agree, but usually producers will settle for images offering quick recognition for viewers.
The Caribbean is a beach, China is a wall, and England is London. Real change is time consuming. Africa is changing, and primarily, we pray the news reports it accurately!

Firstly, the OP didn't say that he is talking about only a few seconds of footage and secondly, you asked me the question of 'what else can the media show', you didn't ask me 'what else can the media show with just a few seconds of footage?'

Besides, even if there are only few seconds of footage to represent Africa, there is still a lot more they can show than animals and thick forests.
We have infrastructure, industries and beautiful cities.

... No, you didn't say that. But I implied it because the time constraints placed on a news piece will determine how "experimental" producers are likely to be. And imo, I don't think they are that bad. However, if the news story was reporting on a infrastructure project in Dakar, well, I wouldn't expect to see lions or bush.

Hmmm. There aren't many places in the world where giraffes wander freely, or the bush grows as thickly. It's a beautiful thought of Africa for those of us who live in crowded cities (heck even in Africa). Imo, @OP, its not a big deal, as long as the news piece endeavours to report accurately.

Flytefalls: ... No, you didn't say that. But I implied it because the time constraints placed on a news piece will determine how "experimental" producers are likely to be. And imo, I don't think they are that bad. However, if the news story was reporting on a infrastructure project in Dakar, well, I wouldn't expect to see lions or bush.

I didn't say what? What didn't I say? And how was I to know what you were implying without you mentioning it?

I don't even understand what you saying anymore, just believe whatever you want to believe.

It's more of a psychological warfare to make Africans look inferior and give more meanings to their description of Africa as the dark continent of subhuman species... I'm surprised you didn't notice the dirty markets and dirty uncivilised people they always show as well - racist neanderthals!

Flytefalls: ... No, you didn't say that. But I implied it because the time constraints placed on a news piece will determine how "experimental" producers are likely to be. And imo, I don't think they are that bad. However, if the news story was reporting on a infrastructure project in Dakar, well, I wouldn't expect to see lions or bush.

Hmmm. There aren't many places in the world where giraffes wander freely, or the bush grows as thickly. It's a beautiful thought of Africa for those of us who live in crowded cities (heck even in Africa). Imo, @OP, its not a big deal, as long as the news piece endeavours to report accurately.

The bolded will happen when pigs start flying....