Racial Discriminations : A Global Bias

Media plays a pivotal role in shaping public perception and discourse. The global media landscape is fraught with racial biases that affect how stories of violence and suffering are covered. The racial mania that dictates media coverage of global crises is a reflection of deep-seated biases and inequalities that permeate our world. Coverage of global events often reveals a stark bias, especially when it comes to racial and ethnic issues. This bias can lead to unequal attention and empathy towards different groups, perpetuating a cycle of discrimination and neglect. Furthermore, this issue is not just a matter of ethical journalism; it is a reflection of deeper societal prejudices and geopolitical interests. The disparity in media attention based on the race or ethnicity of victims is a glaring problem that perpetuates inequality and undermines the universality of human rights. This article explores how media bias manifests in the coverage of different global crises and suggests pathways to a more equitable approach.

The Hierarchy of Global Attention-Case Study

A disturbing pattern emerges when we examine how different crises are covered in the media, depending on the racial or ethnic background of those affected. This pattern can be broken down into four broad categories:

1. Deliberate Ignorance: The Case of Sudan The ongoing conflict in Sudan, particularly in regions like Darfur, has resulted in the deaths of countless black individuals. Despite the severity of the situation, media coverage remains sporadic and often lacks the urgency seen in other crises. In regions like Sudan, where Black populations are often the primary victims of violence, the global media response is alarmingly muted. The ongoing conflict in Sudan, which has resulted in thousands of deaths and millions of displacements, receives scant attention compared to crises in other parts of the world. This deliberate ignorance is not just a failure of journalism but a reflection of how Black lives are devalued in the global consciousness.
2. Indifference Suffering: The Rohingya Crisis

The Rohingya, a Muslim minority in Myanmar, have faced severe persecution and violence. The plight of the Rohingya people in Myanmar is another stark example of racial bias in media coverage. The Rohingyas, have faced genocide, ethnic cleansing, and mass displacement. Despite the severity of the situation, the global response has been tepid, with limited media coverage and international outrage. The media’s lukewarm response to the Rohingya crisis highlights a tendency to overlook the suffering of Asian communities. The “shrugging off” of this crisis underscores how the suffering of Asian populations, particularly those from marginalized ethnic groups, is often downplayed.

1. Conditional Attention: The Palestinian Struggle The Israeli-Palestinian conflict receives a degree of attention that varies depending on the region and political context. While there is coverage of the suffering of Palestinians, particularly in the context of military actions, it is often framed within a broader geopolitical narrative that sometimes obscures the human toll. Palestinian casualties, predominantly brown individuals, receive attention, but the narrative is frequently skewed, and the empathy extended is conditional. Recent Escalation which “amounts to war crimes and apartheid” has divided the globe into on many lines. Gaza is now termed as the graveyard of “International Law, Equality, Freedom of press, Child protection and many other vocal concepts across the globe.
2. Global Alarm: The War in Ukraine The invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022 triggered a massive outpouring of global support, media coverage, and diplomatic action. The war, which predominantly affects a White European population, has been at the forefront of international news. The “fire the globe” response highlights the stark contrast in how the world reacts to crises based on the racial makeup of those involved. The Ukrainian crisis has received unparalleled media attention, fundraising efforts, and diplomatic pressure compared to other ongoing conflicts. This disparity starkly contrasts with the media’s treatment of crises involving non-white populations.
3. Hidden Under Skin- Immigrants Unfolded The immigrant problem has been discussed in the highest echelon of many western countries especially those who play a war mongering role across the globe. Politician successfully invoke feeling of local communities and unravel the hatred hidden under the skin for years. Immigrants especially the people of colors are discouraged, paid less and face the threat of expulsion even after 60 years of residence in a country other than their birth country. Riot groups gain much needed publicity to avail their political advantage as evident in the case of recent violations in UK, USA etc. These countries fail to realize that a large percentage of immigrants come from countries they have either illegally invaded or taken part in occupation by means of financial or political influence.

Understanding the Roots of Media Bias

This disparity in media coverage is not accidental; it is rooted in a complex web of historical, economic, and cultural factors:

1. Historical Legacies of Colonialism and Racism The media's bias is deeply intertwined with the legacies of colonialism and racism. Western media, in particular, has historically been shaped by narratives that prioritize the experiences and lives of White people while marginalizing or dehumanizing people of color. These narratives continue to influence which stories are told and how they are framed.
2. Geopolitical Interests Media coverage often aligns with the geopolitical interests of powerful nations. Countries or regions that are strategically important to the West receive more attention, while those deemed less important, often in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, are ignored. This selective coverage is a reflection of how media serves the interests of power rather than a commitment to universal human rights.
3. Economic Considerations Media outlets are businesses that operate within a capitalist framework, which means that coverage is often driven by what sells. Stories that resonate with a predominantly Western audience, which is often more sympathetic to people who look like them, are more likely to be covered. This commercial imperative further skews the representation of global suffering.
4. Cultural Proximity and Empathy Bias Cultural proximity plays a significant role in media coverage. Audiences tend to empathize more with those who are culturally similar to them. These bias influences which stories are highlighted and how they are reported. The lack of cultural proximity to regions like Africa or Southeast Asia contributes to the underreporting of crises in these areas.

The Consequences of Media Bias

The consequences of this racial mania in media coverage are profound and far-reaching:

1. Perpetuation of Inequality By prioritizing the suffering of some over others, media coverage perpetuates global inequalities. It sends a message that some lives are worth more than others, reinforcing racial hierarchies and undermining the principle of equal human dignity.
2. Inadequate Humanitarian Response Media coverage directly influences public opinion and, by extension, the response of governments and international organizations. When crises in non-White regions are ignored or downplayed, they receive less humanitarian aid, fewer diplomatic interventions, and less public support, exacerbating the suffering of those affected.
3. Erosion of Global Solidarity The selective empathy displayed in media coverage undermines global solidarity. It creates divisions between different racial and ethnic groups, fostering resentment and mistrust. A world where some lives are deemed more valuable than others is one where true global solidarity cannot exist.

Toward a More Equitable Media Landscape

Addressing the racial mania in media coverage requires a concerted effort from multiple stakeholders:

1. Diversifying Newsrooms Media organizations need to diversify their newsrooms to include more voices from underrepresented communities. A more diverse media workforce can help challenge the biases that influence which stories are told and how they are framed.
2. Implementing Ethical Guidelines Media outlets should adopt and enforce ethical guidelines that mandate equal coverage of global crises, regardless of the race or ethnicity of those affected. These guidelines should prioritize human impact over geopolitical interests or economic considerations.
3. Promoting Media Literacy Journalists should receive training on recognizing and mitigating their biases. Audiences also need to be educated on how to critically consume media. Media literacy programs can help individuals recognize biases in reporting and seek out diverse sources of information.
4. Supporting Independent Media Independent media outlets, particularly those based in or focused on marginalized regions, should be supported and amplified. These outlets often provide crucial perspectives that are missing from mainstream coverage.
5. Advocating for Global Media Reform On a broader scale, there needs to be a push for global media reform that holds outlets accountable for biased coverage. International bodies could play a role in establishing standards for fair and equitable reporting. Media Platforms such as Meta, X (Twitter), Telegram etc. shall be governed by universal laws duly applied to country of operation. All voices shall be heard equally and dealt in a fair way. Conditional support of communities shall be challenged under International Law which represents multi-polar world.

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