{
  "id": 5612798,
  "title": "UN backs African-led campaign to ‘Correct the Map’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/un-backs-african-led-campaign-to-correct-the-map",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-04T17:45:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/un-backs-african-led-campaign-to-correct-the-map/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly endorsed an African-led initiative to revise how the continent is depicted on global maps. The \"Correct the Map\" resolution received 164 votes in favor, one against, and six abstentions. The United States was the sole nation to oppose the resolution. The text argues that the centuries-old Mercator projection distorts the true size of continents, particularly exaggerating the appearance of Europe and North America while shrinking Africa. The resolution does not aim to eliminate the Mercator projection, a navigational tool developed in the 16th century, but asserts that its widespread use contributes to a skewed perception of Africa's size. The United States criticized the initiative as a \"radical ideological project,\" particularly objecting to its ties to reparations and \"cognitive justice.\" Washington labeled such resolutions as \"barnacles\" that diminish the UN's credibility, a viewpoint rejected by the majority of member states. Togo argued that Africa has been visually diminished through the Mercator global map, a sentiment echoed by the international community.",
  "summary": "The \"Correct the Map\" resolution was passed by 164 votes to one, with six abstentions.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}