Decolonizing Narratives in Humanitarian Journalism

Abstract

In the field of humanitarian aid and development, the need for reform has never been clearer. Much of the media and aid coverage of crises, particularly in the Global South, continues to rely on outdated frameworks that perpetuate colonial power dynamics. This narrative often positions Western actors - whether journalists or NGOs - as ‘saviours,’ while local communities are reduced to passive victims. This policy brief explores how media coverage reinforces this neocolonial asymmetry and outlines recommendations for decolonising humanitarian journalism to better represent the agency, resilience, and complexity of affected communities.