Mediating identity: The West African diaspora, conflict and communication

Abstract

Migration raises many existential problems, not least, questions of identity. Over time, migrants settle and form a diaspora in a new land but does dislocation from their geographical 'home' inevitably subvert their sense of self? Can representation through the diasporic media mitigate this loss? The African Union considers the diaspora the sixth region of Africa and the news media helps foster amongst exiles an 'imagined diaspora' (Anderson), connecting them to their country of origin. In the social media age, this 'diaspora of the Internet' (Tettey) can be seen at work, often acting as a mirror for division and disharmony in the country of origin. Taking a case study approach of three countries in West Africa and interpreting conflict in its broadest senses, this article seeks to examine the ways in which the news-related media of the West African diaspora has influenced understandings of identity.