Backward, homogenized, and commodified: The representation of African football through the Israeli media

Abstract

ABSTRACT Scholars have argued that the increased coverage of African football in western media attests to broader changes within western media, covering more diverse affairs concerning Africa. Subsequently, this change is said to have led to more positive portrayals of African affairs in western media that challenge Afro-pessimistic narratives. This article argues that these findings are limited to English and French-speaking newspapers, as other western contexts were overlooked. To fill this gap, the following article examines how Africa and Africans are portrayed within the Israeli football media. Based on a content analysis of newspapers, sports sites, and podcasts, the article argues that African affairs are still mostly portrayed through colonial stereotypes. African footballers are often perceived as backward and commodified as precious stones, while the African continent is frequently homogenized. The article ends, though, on a positive note, recognizing a few journalists who rise above problematic tropes by addressing local contexts.