MEDIA NARRATIVES SHAPE LEADERS AND DEMAND PROOF

Wed 28 May 2025:

Traoré’s leadership in Burkina Faso raises questions about legitimacy, perception, and influence.

Ibrahim Traoré, a young military officer, came to power in Burkina Faso following a coup. Now widely referred to as the “people’s captain,” his rise has generated a mix of support and scrutiny. Some call him a leader who speaks to anti-colonial frustrations. Others question whether his popularity has more to do with narrative than policy.

In the digital age, political figures often become products of the platforms that present them. Social media and AI-generated content have made it easier to shape perception and harder to verify fact from fiction. The line between public support and strategic media projection is increasingly blurred.

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What do journalists think about this?

Journalist Mariam Jooma Carikci explains, “Western media has generally ignored democratic credentials for authoritarian regimes that are supportive of their aims.” Traoré’s critics argue that his media image is shaped in ways that might not reflect the full reality. His supporters view him as a response to long-standing discontent with foreign involvement and failed governance.

Carikci continues, “What we’re seeing now is branding versus propaganda.” When leaders from Western nations engage in image management, it is often framed as innovation. When leaders in the Global South do the same, it can be viewed with suspicion.

The historical context

Understanding the current sentiment in Burkina Faso requires looking at the country’s historical context. Years of instability and external influence have left many people skeptical of traditional governance. Traoré’s rhetoric, grounded in ideas of national sovereignty and independence, speaks directly to that frustration.

Still, leadership is not just about words or media presence. As Carikci notes, “He’s offering a different discourse which will later have to be weighed up against his actions.” Popularity must be matched by governance that meets the needs of the population.

The role of media, both local and international, remains central. There is a need for balanced reporting that includes local voices and perspectives. Without that, narratives risk being shaped solely by those with the most reach rather than those with the most insight.

The case of Traoré is not just about one man. It reflects broader challenges in how we understand leadership, legitimacy, and influence in a fast-changing media landscape.