Discourse Analysis of Media Representations of Terrorism in East African Press: A Case study of Westgate Shopping Mall Attack in Nairobi, Kenya

The post-colonial Africa has witnessed so many political crises such as civil wars, rebellions and terrorist activities. Most of which have been to propagate religious ideologies or to gain political attention. Media invariably have been a tool to achieve these feet. Terrorists use media to gain public attention, sympathy and to affect political change. Media reports of terrorism may depend on the conception and perception of the term, which is influenced by the media organization. This study analysed the coverage of Westgate shopping mall terrorist attack in Nairobi, Kenya by some East African newspapers publications from September 21, 2013 till date which have different ideological perspectives and explanations. Significant differences were found in the coverage of the attack, the subsequent reports and how the usage of some text and photo to portray terror and its significance. Some newspapers cited more of the political global factors that may have led to many terrorist acts and offered more text to alleviate fear from the populace while others emphasized more on the socio-political and religious impact on terrorism and reported the act more colourful and sensational in terms of violence, sorrow, anxiety, tears, panic, fear, and deaths.