09/02/2026
From Screwdrivers to State Power, The Story the New York Times Chose to Tell
A recent New York Times piece that tied U.S. airstrikes in Nigeria to reporting by an Onitsha trader and activist has stirred intense debate. Critics say it oversimplifies complex realities, reduces a local voice to a stereotype, and highlights how powerful media outlets can shape global narratives about African societies.
This isn’t just journalism — it’s about who gets to define a story and what that means for public understanding.
Read the full discussion here: https://www.naijadazz.com/from-screwdrivers-to-state-power-the-story-the-new-york-times-chose-to-tell/
The New York Times thinks Emeka Umeagbalasi is a "screwdriver salesman" who tricked the U.S. government. We think the real story is why the Nigerian government refuses to count its own dead, leaving local activists to do the job alone. Here is why the NYT's latest feature is a masterclass in media b...