Media coverage of the Darfur conflict in Sudanese and non-Sudanese media
The need for information during any time of conflict or crisis is crucial not only for those directly affected but also for those involved and engaged from outside the affected area. The need for information of the Darfur conflict is no exception. Indeed, Darfur is often cited as one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters but it is also one of the most complex.
The media coverage of the Darfur crisis was limited and the non-Sudanese (Arab) media does not give any significant priority to the crisis; rather they cover the crisis as they would cover any other crisis in the African region. Meanwhile, the Sudanese media provide more substantial coverage of the Darfur crisis than their non-Sudanese peers.
This content analysis demonstrates that the crisis is first and foremost framed in a political dimension with the crisis framed as a political struggle between local Sudanese actors, and a struggle between the Sudanese government and the international community. This trend is underlined by the scope applied by the media in that they frequently focus on the international implications of the crisis as opposed to viewing the crisis with a local Sudanese context.
