Global News: Examining the Determinants and Imbalance in News Flow in the Global North and South
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Abstract
Concerned by the uneven flow of global news, scholars wonder why some countries or regions are more prominent in global news flow than others. This constant representation of a country, or group of countries, in global news reportage has significantly put them on a higher pedestal when compared to other countries in relation to news worthiness. This study examined the lopsidedness in global news flow from the developed to developing countries and how it portrays African countries and other developing countries before the world. The study adopted Content Analysis method as research tool for quantifying and analysing the various areas reported by six electronic media stations namely: CNN, BBC, Euronews, Aljazeera, Channels TV (Nigeria) and SABC (South Africa), which were presented in tables. Aside the last two, the others are America, Europe and Qatar based cable satellite television stations respectively. Key determinants of news worthiness such as economic, political, military, violence, natural disaster, religion and population which account for over 80% of the variance of a country’s prominence in global news, and how they frame the image and identity of countries as positive, negative or neutral by focusing on specific events, were examined. The study also examined the attempt by Africa, Asia and Latin America to counter the imbalance in global news flow through the New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO) and the resistance to NWICO by the United States and Britain. Findings revealed that conflicts and regional instability are characteristic of the reportage on the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Africa by foreign television stations, and this make them negatively prominent in the global news stage. The study recommends among others the prioritization of technological development among African States specifically in the media sector so as to counter the narrative being churned out by Western media.
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Igwe, C. U., Nyerhovwo Muoboghare, Lilian Chidinma Mokwunye, Emmanuel John Abah, Moses Chukwudi Ihiaeme, & Cordelia Omonigho Okpodu-Philip. (2025). Global News: Examining the Determinants and Imbalance in News Flow in the Global North and South. SIASAT, 10(2), 149-161. https://doi.org/10.33258/siasat.v10i2.203
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Guanah, J. S. (2024). NewspapersReportage and Perception of Yenagoa Residents of Climate Change and Adaptation in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Journal of Research in Social Science and Humanities, 4(1), 21-28.
Guanah, J. S. (2024). Rural Women and Socioeconomic Development in a Gender-Conscious Society: The Challenges and Prospects.
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Msughter, A. E., & Pate, H. A. (2021). National interest, freedom of expression and the Nigerian press in contemporary democratic context. Revista Brasileira de Estudos Africanos, 6(11).
Msughter, A. E., Hile, M. M., & Yar’Adua, S. M. (2023). Ethical Issues and Insecurity in Africa: The Media Dimension. Konfrontasi: Jurnal Kultural, Ekonomi dan Perubahan Sosial, 10(2), 58-68.
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Owens-Ibie, N., & Aondover, E. M. (2024). Hate postings on social media and peace imperatives in Nigeria. Legal challenges and political strategies in the post-truth era.
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Vitalis, P. O., Aondover, E. M., Ogunbola, O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Ridwan, M. (2025). Accessing Digital Divide and Implications in Nigeria: The Media Dimension. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 1-12.
Yar’Adua, S. M., Msughter, A. E., & Aliyu, M. A. (2023). Original Paper Modernization, Marxist, Dependency and Alternative Theories of Development Communication: A Critical Review.
Yar’Adua, S. M., Msughter, A. E., & Garba, S. (2023). Media and National Development in Democratic Societies. Polit Journal Scientific Journal of Politics, 3(3), 105-115.
Aliyu, M. A., Msughter, A. E., & Nneka, A. Q. (2023). Comparative Study of National Development Plans in Nigeria and India: Media Dimension. SIASAT, 8(4), 202-212.
Aondover, E. M. (2024). Media Outlook of Hate Speech in the 2015 and 2019 General Elections in Nigeria. Rotura–Revista de Comunicação, Cultura e Artes, 4(1), 50-63.
Aondover, E. M., Daushe, A. U., Ogunbola, O., & Aondover, P. O. (2025). Media Coverage of Internally Displaced Persons in two Selected Newspapers in Nigeria. Journal of Migration and Health, 100301.
Aondover, E. M., Oyeleye, S. A., & Aliyu, M. A. (2023). New World Information and Communication Order and its changing role in Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Kano. Unisia, 41(1).
Aondover, E. M., Yar’Adua, S. M., & Aondover, P. O. (2025). Influence of Digital Images on the Propagation of Fake News on Twitter in Russia and Ukraine Crisis. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 59-74.
Aondover, P. O., & Aondover, E. M. (2023). Nollywood Offering and Nigeria People and Culture: Reflections and Projection.
Aondover, P. O., Aondover, E. M., & Babele, A. M. (2022). Two nations, same technology, different outcomes: Analysis of technology application in Africa and America. Journal of Educational Research and Review, 1(1), 001-008.
Asemah, E. S. (2011). Mass media in the contemporary society. Jos: Jos University Press.
Boyd-Barrett, O. (1977). Media imperialism: Towards an international framework for the analysis of media systems. In J. Curran, M. Gurevitch, & J. Woollacot. (Eds.), Mass Communication and Society, (pp. 116-135). London: Arnold.
Ekeanyanwu, N. T. & Edewor A. P. (2009). Cultural implications of ICTs and globalization in the Nigeria society, Journal of Communication and Media Research, 1(2), 13-29.
Guanah, J. S. & Dalung, R. (2018). Media and culture: The intersections and interventions. BANCHI: Nasarawa Journal of Theatre and Media Arts, 5(1): 224-245. Available at https://searchworks.stanford.edu/ view/ 11064841.
Guanah, J. S. (2022). A review of the relationship between newspapers and health reporting in Nigeria: Reportage on Lassa fever in Edo State. Global Media Journal, 20(47), 1-8.
Guanah, J. S. (2022). Re-evaluating the roles of the media and the political class in nigerias democratic setting. Media and Communication Currents (MCC), 6(1), 89-110.
Guanah, J. S. (2024). NewspapersReportage and Perception of Yenagoa Residents of Climate Change and Adaptation in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Journal of Research in Social Science and Humanities, 4(1), 21-28.
Guanah, J. S. (2024). Rural Women and Socioeconomic Development in a Gender-Conscious Society: The Challenges and Prospects.
Guanah, J. S. (2024). Social Media, Popular Culture and Contending African Ethical Models. In G. E. Oboh (Ed) Social Science Ethics for Research and Practice: An African Perspective. (pp. 25-42). United Kingdom: Ethics International Press Ltd.
Guanah, J. S., Agbanu, V. N., & Obi, I. (2020). Artificial intelligence and journalism practice in Nigeria: Perception of journalists in Benin City, Edo State. International review of humanities Studies, 5(2), 16.
Guanah, J. S., Njemanze, M. C., & Derefaka, H. A. I. (2023). Social Media Use and University Students' Academic Performance: A Study of University of Africa, Toru-Orua, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. International Journal of African Language and Media Studies, 3(1), 105-114.
Guanah, J. S. (2018). “Fake news” as a contemporary issue in global communication concern. In L. C. Nwodu & I. S. Onunkwor (Eds.), Evolving thoughts on international communication, diplomacy and the social media (pp. 23-37). Enugu: Rhyce Kerex Publishers.
Herman E. & Mcchesney R. (1997). The global media: the missionaries of corporate capitalism. London. Caswell Wellington House.
Hile, M. M., Msughter, A. E., & Aliyu, M. A. (2023). Secularism and Ethical Issues in Media Practice as a Bane for National Development. SIASAT, 8(3), 166-177.
Hollows, J. (2016).Media studies: A complete introduction. London: John Murray Leaving.
Idris, M. K., & Msughter, A. E. (2022). Sources of Information on National Issues among Border Communities in Yobe State, Nigeria. ASEAN Journal of Community Engagement, 6(1), 22-47.
Igwe, C. U. (2022). Media globalisation and the Nigerian society: an empirical view of the cultural risk and benefits. Journal of Business Administration and Management Sciences Research Vol. 10(3), pp. 032-045, July, 2022 Available online at http://www.apexjournal.org.
Maikaba, B., & Msughter, A. E. (2019). Digital Media and Cultural Globalisation: The Fate of African Value System. Humanities and Social Sciences, 12(1), 214-220.
Mojaye, E. M., & Aondover, E. M. (2022). Theoretical perspectives in world information systems: A propositional appraisal of new media-communication imperatives. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 14(1), 100-106.
Msughter, A. E. (2019). Good governance and accountability: an assessment of the media’s role in achieving transparency in the 2019 general elections in Nigeria. Revista Brasileira de Estudos Africanos, 4(7).
Msughter, A. E., & Pate, H. A. (2021). National interest, freedom of expression and the Nigerian press in contemporary democratic context. Revista Brasileira de Estudos Africanos, 6(11).
Msughter, A. E., Hile, M. M., & Yar’Adua, S. M. (2023). Ethical Issues and Insecurity in Africa: The Media Dimension. Konfrontasi: Jurnal Kultural, Ekonomi dan Perubahan Sosial, 10(2), 58-68.
Nwafor, G. U., Guanah, J. S., & Dalung, R. (2024). Gender Representation in the Staffing of Nigerian Television Authority and Channels Television. Rajasthali Journal, 3(3), 1-12.
Onabajo, O. (2016). Current trends in international and foreign broadcasting. Ibadan: Penthouse publications.
Onwutalobi, A. (2010). The News flow Controversy: Evaluation of Imbalances, Inadequacies, distortions in International news flow and how it affects African development and democracy. Retrieved from https//archive.org>details>TheNewsFlowcontroversy.
Owens-Ibie, N., & Aondover, E. M. (2024). Hate postings on social media and peace imperatives in Nigeria. Legal challenges and political strategies in the post-truth era.
Schiller, I. H. (1975). Genesis of the Free Flow of Information Principles: The Imposition of Communications domination. Instant Research on Peace & Violence 5(2), 75-86.Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/40724768.
Schiller, I. H. (1976). Communication and cultural domination. Media Imperialism. Retrieved from en.m. Wikipedia.org.
Segev, E. (2014). Visible and Invisible Countries: News-Flow Theory Revised. Journalism. Retrieved from http://jou.sagepub.com/content/early/2014/03/03/1464884914521579
Vitalis, P. O., Aondover, E. M., Ogunbola, O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Ridwan, M. (2025). Accessing Digital Divide and Implications in Nigeria: The Media Dimension. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 1-12.
Yar’Adua, S. M., Msughter, A. E., & Aliyu, M. A. (2023). Original Paper Modernization, Marxist, Dependency and Alternative Theories of Development Communication: A Critical Review.
Yar’Adua, S. M., Msughter, A. E., & Garba, S. (2023). Media and National Development in Democratic Societies. Polit Journal Scientific Journal of Politics, 3(3), 105-115.