Media and Politics Throughout Africa

 

    Africa has a unique case when it comes to the usage of social media throughout the continent as each state has such an individual stance and take on the government, social standards, culture, etc... Media plays a different aspect in each state by challenging, "either full democracies, flawed democracies, hybrid regimes, or authoritarian regimes," (Okocha). This vast influx in different government structures certainly plays a role into the level of mass media freedoms that each society has. Media is certainly an important factor in promoting the discussion and education of politics throughout Africa as it encourages communities to connect and communicate, as well as giving the public the ability to get information from news sources. Mass media has the ability to create change in societies as it can spark people to speak up for what they believe is right and is a place that allows for the people to hold the government accountable for their actions and behaviors. 

    Currently in many states throughout Africa, mass media repression is still extremely present. Especially when looking at the more authoritarian regimes and governments that restrict the usage of social media in order to monitor and patrol what people are posting and what they are seeing in order to mitigate the spread of their human rights violations. The restrictions and repression also allow for the government to share their views without any opposition. The, "internet and social media have new roles in liberalizing freedom of speech," and the lack in ability to post and spread awareness throughout these states is a clear violation of such freedom of speech and freedom of the press, which plays into the overall level of democracy that a state has (Okocha). Mass media's, "principal role," in terms of politics is the consolidation of democracy (Okocha). This is extremely important as many African states and people feel that mass media is an opening gateway to becoming more democratic and increasing the human rights levels and living conditions throughout many regions of Africa.

    Mass media is capable of holding undemocratic leaders and governments accountable for their actions by spreading awareness throughout the country and throughout the world. Experts have expressed the importance of this and have mentioned that "international aid agencies should assist media outlets, particularly in hybrid regimes or authoritarian regimes," in order to, "overcome their challenges and ensure they effectively play their roles in promoting politics in Africa," in order to ensure a more democratic future for Africa as a whole (Okocha). They have also identified and recommended that the undemocratic legislation currently enacted against freedom of expression through mass media, including for journalists, "should align with Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Right," in order to secure a more balanced, democratic, and free region. The future for African mass media is quite important in the overall understanding and educating of a larger population in order to be able to be able to spread awareness and information concerning politics and to hold their states responsible as well as display the undemocratic behaviors to the rest of the world.

Okocha, D. O., & Dapoet, B. A. (1970, January 1). Mass Media and Politics in Africa: A Qualitative Appraisal. SpringerLink. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-48431-5_3