Hot Topic - Media in Africa

Press Freedom Solution: Exile The Dictators - April 22, 2019
When confronted with yet another example of injustice, press and media freedom advocates typically issue sternly worded condemnations. Dictators and similarly-minded autocrats pay no attention. Criticism is irritating: stop the press and other “enemies.” But an interesting thing happens when they are sent into exile.

Local Radio Interacts Quite Naturally - April 7, 2019
Media development groups and international organizations have long known that the medium of choice in Africa is radio. Of course, there are newspapers, television and, most recently, digital platforms. The spoken word on a continent of local languages by the thousands is the preferred means of communication and connection. Diversity on the African continent - linguistic, cultural and religious - is astounding.

Racing After Election Campaign Fake News - February 18, 2019
Where elections and social media intersect the result, plain and clear, is disruption. The path to disinformation, fake news and hate speech is Autodromo di Monza through the internet. The track is unforgiving, the crashes spectacular and people turn out to watch. Of course, the sponsors are pleased.

More Internet, More Information; Some Good, Some Not - October 15, 2014
The relationship between internet technology and critical information is largely beneficial. The public’s interest is quickly satisfied by words and pictures flowing instantly from the miracle of the digital age. News cycles, though, hate vacuums and the web tends to neutralize value.

Media Leaders Told To Stop Being Critical And Make More Money - November 11, 2013
Developing a strong media sector in transitional regions seizes the opportunities of good business, employment and hot technology. And everybody likes good news. Media people need to cooperate, say government officials, and keep everything pretty. Jail is the obvious option.

Media Muzzled By National Security Concerns And Other Embarrassment - May 27, 2013
Governments have been resplendent in their commitments to press and media freedom. Dimming that light are national security issues, particularly embarrassing leaks. Balancing both can be difficult. And it can happen anywhere.

New Media Outshines Partisan Election Coverage - November 22, 2012
More and more, elections are being monitored by international organizations for more than polling practices. Campaigns and media coverage is under scrutiny. As new media technology takes an increasingly important role in political campaigns election observers must look beyond traditional messages.

See also in ftm Knowledge

Media in Africa - Growing Pains

Africa's media has a dynamic all its own. Its newspapers, television, radio and advertising are world-class. New media is taking hold. At the same time, some governments seek blinding repression. This ftm Knowledge file looks at the great and not-so-great. Includes Resources 82 pages PDF (July 2012)

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Media Development - Emerging Markets / Converging Platforms

Media development in emerging and transitional democracies has never been more important and never more challenging. With everything else, new media and the web are both opportunities and complications. The ftm Knowledge file reviews the changes. 54 pages PDF (March 2011)

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