Media ignores global hunger crises, say experts
Deutsche Welle
February 24, 2026
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Experts warn that global hunger crises in the Global South are receiving insufficient attention from both media outlets and political leaders. While millions suffer from acute hunger, resources dedicated to food relief pale in comparison to military spending. For instance, in Nigeria’s northwest region, Islamist militants have displaced communities like Amina Suleman's, forcing families to rely on begging for survival. Similar struggles are evident across Africa, with an estimated 318 million people facing severe food insecurity. Yet, media coverage remains lacking—research shows that only a fraction of news reports focus on developing countries, with sports and entertainment often dominating airtime.
Ladislaus Ludescher of Goethe University highlights the stark disparity between the scale of hunger crises and their media representation. His study reveals that major news programs dedicate far more attention to soft news, such as celebrity incidents, than to critical issues like the civil war in Tigray, Ethiopia, which has seen over 600,000 civilian deaths. This underreporting not only neglects the urgency of hunger but also undermines efforts to address it through political will and resource allocation.
The consequences of this media silence are dire. Hunger remains the leading cause of death worldwide, with children particularly vulnerable. Yet, without sufficient coverage, public awareness—and subsequently, action—remain limited. Experts emphasize that solving global hunger is a question of prioritization, yet current trends suggest a lack of political will and media focus on these crises.
The situation in countries like Malawi underscores the severity of food insecurity, where prolonged droughts and economic instability have exacerbated suffering. As world leaders and journalists continue to overlook these crises, the human toll grows, leaving millions without hope for relief. Addressing this issue requires a collective shift toward prioritizing global hunger as a critical, solvable problem—one that demands immediate attention and sustained action.
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Originally published on Deutsche Welle on 2/24/2026