Political leaders in Africa often accuse media of promoting homosexuality, while activists use it to advance pro-LGBTQ messages. This study explores how different African media types influence public attitudes toward LGBTQ issues.
Radio & Television: Exposure through these traditional platforms does not increase support for LGBTQ individuals and may even decrease positive attitudes slightly.
Print Media & Digital Sources: Individuals who consume newspapers, internet, or social media show significantly higher levels of pro-LGBTQ support (2-4 percentage points).
Censorship Context: The differential effects are explained by varying degrees of censorship in different media formats across the continent.
The findings confirm that these results aren't due to selection bias but specifically reflect how diverse media exposure shapes political attitudes. These insights matter especially as same-sex relations become more politicized and digital media consumption grows rapidly throughout Africa.
