The African Press Coverage of Japan and British Censorship during World War II

A Case Study of the Ashanti Pioneer, 1939-1945

Abstract

Background: This paper examines the relationship between the African newspaper coverage of Japan and British censorship during World War II, based on the case of the Ashanti Pioneer that \\as published in the British Gold Coast. The Pioneer. Asante's first daily newspaper was first published in November 1939. Originally, the Kurnasi-based newspaper mainly published articles related to local affairs and took a neutral stance towards the recent war. However, around the turn of the decade ( 1939-40). it gradually shifted its stance towards a pro-war position. and after the 1940s. its stance on Japan shifted from positive to negative and even to hostile.