Global Media Journal, African Edition: Political Journalism and Elections in Africa

Launched in 2007, the Global Media Journal African Edition is published bi-annually. It is maintained by the Journalism Department of Stellenbosch University in the Western Cape province of South Africa and is advised by an editorial board of international communication scholars. The journal publishes research papers, professional articles, and book reviews, and also offers an opportunity for graduate students to publish their work.

This edition of the Global Media Journal African Edition focuses on the topic of Political Journalism and Elections in Africa. As stated in the Foreword, "during elections it is particularly important to assess the role media have of holding government to account on behalf of citizens. While media, in particular commercial media, do not sign a formal contract stating that they endorse and will fulfill this role, this expectation must be recognised and honoured in support of the argument for a free and plural media." The edition contains the following academic papers:

Good Governance and media ownership in Nigeria: Dilemmatic practices, stoic challenges
By Kate Azuka Omenugha, Chikezie Emmanuel Uzuegbunam, Obinna Nelson Omenugha
From the abstract: "This article, with exemplars from the Nigerian media scene over the years, x-rays the stoic challenges which media ownership poses to Nigerian society as the nation works towards development through good governance. It argues that ownership patterns, pressures and politics continue to challenge the consistent and committed role of the media in deepening our march towards good democratic governance. It argues that ownership patterns, pressures and politics continue to challenge the consistent and committed role of the media in deepening our march towards good democratic governance. The article, however, concludes that rather than heaping the blame on the media, one could more safely return a verdict of collective responsibility – viewing the failings of the media within the larger context of the failings of the social system in which the media are embedded."

A research agenda for political advertising in Africa: The case of Zimbabwe
By Albert Chibuwe
From the abstract: "This paper, through a review and analysis of existing Zimbabwean literature on media coverage of elections, music nationalism, political journalism, cultural journalism among other political communication related studies, proposes a new theory of post-colonial African political communication and/or political advertising. It argues that existing scholarship tends to rely too much on Western theory and post-colonial essentialism to interpret ZANU PF discourses without acknowledging the peculiarities of the post-colonial African state which makes it different from the Western liberal democratic state and thus makes Western theory alone is inadequate as an analytical tool to understand post-colonial African phenomenon."

The role of the private print media in post-socialist Ethopia: Views from gorvenment, opposition politicians, academics and the private press
By Melisew Dejene
From the abstract: "Recounting the views of the government, opposition politicians, academics and the private press itself as represented by their editors, the study argues that the private print media in Ethiopia are subject to external and internal challenges that dwarf its role in helping the transition to democracy. The study uses McQuail’s Normative Theory of Media Structure and Performance to frame the role of the private print media in Ethiopia of the last two decades. Though the private print media contributed to the struggle for democracy, their role is below the societal demands."

The role of the media in Africa's development: From vision to reality
By John Kakonage
From the abstract: "African countries have prepared long-term plans and strategic visions for their national development that capture their aspirations, and these commonly include becoming industrialised by 2020 or at the latest 2030. However, the realisation of these visions is constrained by several challenges. This paper will briefly examine the factors impeding implementation, and the positive role the media could play in accelerating the process."

Are new media technologies positively influencing democratic participation? Evidence from the 2008 elections in Zimbabwe
By Bruce Mutsvairo
From the abstract: "This research is a case study analysis of the 2008 national elections in Zimbabwe. The elections are considered crucial in the history of the country because long-time President Robert Mugabe suffered an unprecedented defeat at the hands of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai in the first of the two rounds of voting. This study presupposes the view that as digital technologies become more accessible and affordable, more people are able to easily coordinate, organise and advance their interests. It aims to critically examine the overall role played by the Internet in propelling democratic reforms in Zimbabwe, specifically focusing on its role during the 2008 elections. The major question in the research pertains to the assumed use of new media technologies by Zimbabwean exiles to channel pro-opposition information into the country, effectively leading to President Mugabe’s losing."

Media coverage of conflict in Africa
By Maurice Odine
From the abstract: "Of the many problems that face Africa, conflict is perpetual. In a continent whose land mass is one-fifth of the world, and where ethnicity is omnipresent, conflict is nearly inevitable. Africans are captive to the divisive and manipulative colonial repression that has placed hurdles toward nation building, particularly because foreign powers partitioned Africa without regard to culture or socio-economic development. Hence, Africa has been, for decades, been the battleground for East-West political and economic interests. Despite flagrant suffering and millions dead due to conflict, media coverage (championed by western media) have either been silent or selective as evidenced by the United States (US) and British media. Even reportage filed from Africa has been edited to suit Western audiences and other pecuniary interests. To counter tribal connotations not only to forestall stereotypes, but also to assure accuracy and fairness, African countries have instituted peace journalism in association with sympathetic international media organizations with focus on conflict resolution. Furthermore, the advent of “peace journalism” is intended to undercut the “CNN factor” whereby incredulous sources are paraded before television cameras."

What about men? Gendered reception of an edutainment drama
By L Meghan Mahoney
From the abstract: "Makgabaneng is a serial radio soap drama that addresses critical HIV/AIDS awareness and behaviour change issues in Botswana. This study aims to understand how fans of the programme understand the storyline that presents narratives where female characters are portrayed as educated, independent and confident individuals. Results of 42 in-depth interviews with self-defined fans of the drama show that males are constructed as uneducated, irresponsible and dependent in society. It is recommended that Makgabaneng address this inequity by creating a more balanced number of positive and negative female and male characters." Link Click here to access this issue online. Click here to access archived editions of the journal in PDF format.