China Leveraging Its Deeply-embedded Media Ties in Africa to Tell its COVID-19 Aid Story

The Chinese government is leveraging its vast content distribution network in Africa to tell its story about its rapidly expanding anti-COVID-19 relief effort that’s now underway. Articles written by Xinhua and other state-run media outlets are popping up across African news websites this week to showcase the delivery of aid and expertise to various African stakeholders.

In most instances, these articles have a Xinhua byline but that is a subtlety that is likely lost on the majority of online news consumers. 

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by Eric Olander

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