Examining Influences Impacting Sub-Saharan African Media Norms: Effects on Professionalization of Journalism

Abstract

This study demonstrates the presence of various influences in the Sub-Saharan African media, and how these influences impact on the professional development of Sub-Saharan African journalism. To account for the presence of influences from the West, China and African values, 44 codes of ethics of Sub-Saharan African countries were analyzed. To account for influences of these values in the normative practice of Sub-Saharan African journalism, 18 journalists were interviewed. The findings contradict the basic philosophical assumption of media normative theory that the press system is shaped by the social, cultural, economic and political realities of the environment it operates, as it demonstrates predominance of Western values in Sub-Saharan media. Keyword: Colonialism, neo-colonialism, normative influences, media norms/values, institution and profession.