Kemiso Wessie
Queer representation in African media remains a contentious and evolving issue due to societal attitudes and political, historical and legal frameworks. Despite progress in some regions, LGBTQ+ people still face significant obstacles to their visibility and inclusion. Within this context, media serves as both a site of resistance and an instrument of oppression.
Of the 64 nations with laws criminalising homosexuality, 50% are in Africa. The consequence is a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ visibility in the media in many parts of the continent. Even in nations that do not explicitly outlaw same-sex relationships, queer people continue to face prejudice, violence and marginalisation. Such nations frequently restrict favourable depiction in the media through censorship, newsroom intimidation and the banning of media that promote homosexuality, according to James Maingi Gathatwa, Margaret Jjuuko (AJEN members), and Emanuel Munyarukumbuzi in “‘Kindness Is a Distant and Elusive Reality’: Charting the Impacts of Discrimination on the Mental and Sexual Wellbeing of LGBT Refugee Youth in Kenya,” a chapter from Queer and Trans African Mobilities (2022).
As more “right-wing” Christian fundamentalist mindsets are becoming more prevalent around the world, many nations, including Nigeria and Uganda, have tightened their existing laws against homosexuality and reintroduced those that had previously made it a crime. These laws are associated with imprisonment, police violence, vigilante assault, and employment discrimination.
State-owned media in these countries frequently reinforce homophobia and harmful stereotypes by depicting LGBTQ+ identities as “un-African” and a danger to cultural values. A report by the Media and Journalism Research Centre, highlighted by the Press Council of South Africa, indicates that government-controlled media are dominant around the world, with over 84% of state-administered media companies in 170 countries lacking editorial independence. This tendency is noticeable in many African countries, where governments’ positions, especially those regarding LGBTQ+ issues, are frequently reflected in the media.
For example, Uganda’s media is criticised for being biased and practising unethical reporting and homophobia, while mainstream media in Kenya frequently repeats official narratives portraying LBGTQ+ populations as dangerous or morally reprehensible. Jjuuko et al. (2022) argue that such representations contribute to the legal and social persecution of queer people, making it difficult for them to seek protection or exercise their rights.
Conversely, South Africa’s media appears to be the best and most balanced across the six parameters of Brian Pellot’s 2020 study for the Arcas Foundation. However, a large portion of this news usually focuses on the various levels of violence this minority experiences, as 61% of South Africans disagree that homosexuality should be embraced by society.
There are opportunities for African news media to support LGBTQ+ rights and encourage acceptance despite the gloomy cloud surrounding these issues. Amidst their state’s media monopoly, independent digital platforms have become crucial spaces in these countries for resistance and visibility.
Growing use of online digital media like TikTok, Instagram and podcast platforms offers new avenues for representation with these spaces becoming vital for LGBTQ+ communities to share their stories, rally support for, and advocate, their rights, often bypassing the gatekeepers of traditional media.
The connection between media, migration and queer identity in Africa is highlighted by Jjuuko et al. (2022). Their study explores how LGBTQ+ asylum seekers and refugees navigate media representation, often using digital platforms to counter mainstream narratives. For example, in Kenya, where LGBTQ+ refugees face systemic discrimination, online media has played a crucial role in documenting their struggles and seeking international support.
By leveraging digital storytelling and advocacy, the media can support queer communities to push for more inclusive representation and policy reforms. In tandem with this mentality and by adhering to ethical journalism standards, mainstream media outlets can be crucial in dispelling myths and altering harmful public perceptions.
Despite improvements in certain areas, there are still many obstacles to overcome, especially in nations where homosexuality is illegal and unfavourable perceptions are reinforced by the media. The media have the ability to help create a more welcoming and inclusive society throughout the African continent by steadfastly upholding ethical journalism practices and making use of new digital platforms.