Communication and Democratic Reform in South Africa

Communication and Democratic Reform in South Africa PDF Author: Robert B. Horwitz
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1139428691
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 433

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Book Description
The book examines the reform of the communication sector in South Africa as a detailed and extended case study in political transformation - the transition from apartheid to democracy. The reform of broadcasting, telecommunications, the state information agency and the print press from apartheid-aligned apparatuses to accountable democratic institutions took place via a complex political process in which civil society activism, embodying a post-social democratic ideal, largely won out over the powerful forces of formal market capitalism and older models of state control. In the cautious acceptance of the market, the civil society organizations sought to use the dynamism of the market while thwarting its inevitable inequities. Forged in the crucible of a difficult transition to democracy, communication reform in South Africa was navigated between the National Party's embrace of the market and the African National Congress leadership's default statist orientation.

Communication and Democratic Reform in South Africa

Communication and Democratic Reform in South Africa PDF Author: Robert B. Horwitz
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1139428691
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 433

Get Book

Book Description
The book examines the reform of the communication sector in South Africa as a detailed and extended case study in political transformation - the transition from apartheid to democracy. The reform of broadcasting, telecommunications, the state information agency and the print press from apartheid-aligned apparatuses to accountable democratic institutions took place via a complex political process in which civil society activism, embodying a post-social democratic ideal, largely won out over the powerful forces of formal market capitalism and older models of state control. In the cautious acceptance of the market, the civil society organizations sought to use the dynamism of the market while thwarting its inevitable inequities. Forged in the crucible of a difficult transition to democracy, communication reform in South Africa was navigated between the National Party's embrace of the market and the African National Congress leadership's default statist orientation.

Media, Communication and the Struggle for Democratic Change

Media, Communication and the Struggle for Democratic Change PDF Author: Katrin Voltmer
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3030167488
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 305

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Book Description
This book investigates the role of media and communication in processes of democratization in different political and cultural contexts. Struggles for democratic change are periods of intense contest over the transformation of citizenship and the reconfiguration of political power. These democratization conflicts are played out within an increasingly complex media ecology where traditional modes of communication merge with new digital networks, thus bringing about multiple platforms for journalists and political actors to promote and contest competing definitions of reality. The volume draws on extensive case study research in South Africa, Kenya, Egypt and Serbia to highlight the ambivalent role of the media as force for democratic change, citizen empowerment, and accountability, as well as driver of polarization, radicalization and manipulation.

Media Policy in a Changing Southern Africa

Media Policy in a Changing Southern Africa PDF Author: Dumisani Moyo
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781868885695
Category : Africa, Southern
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
"The book focuses on policy-making in various media sectors, including broadcasting, print and the new information and communications technologies (ICTs). A range of debates and issues around media policy-making in Southern Africa over the past few decades, are covered by a set of international scholars. Ideal for media policy enthusiasts, students and the general public, it covers media reform in Southern Africa and the rest of the world. A great deal of continuity and change have characterised media and communication policy-making in Southern Africa over the past two decades. Rapid political and economic developments spawned the adoption of 'second generation' reforms aimed at opening up the media to diverse and pluralistic interests in the context of ongoing democratisation projects. Moving from regional case studies that examine the political economy of media reform, the collection also looks into the future, while taking stock of what has been 'hit and missed' and how the current uncertain phase can be transcended. The aim is to take the debate on media reforms to a new level, following on policy 'maturation'"--Publisher's website.

The Power of Communication

The Power of Communication PDF Author: Kristin Skare Orgeret
Publisher: Fagbokforlaget
ISBN:
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 366

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Book Description
This book examines how the media in different parts of Africa plays an important role in the continent's political and social processes of change. The perspective of the book is comparative. It contains overviews of the role of communication, as well as case studies, of the situation in individual countries and societies: Ethiopia, Mozambique, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. The book analyzes the printed press and broadcasting, as well as the function of new digital media, such as the Internet and cell phone technology. The chapters discuss both the more political and democratic implications of the media, as well as issues around communication for development.

Perspectives on Political Communication in Africa

Perspectives on Political Communication in Africa PDF Author: Bruce Mutsvairo
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319620576
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 272

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Book Description
This edited collection is a cutting-edge volume that reframes political communication from an African perspective. Focusing on sub-Saharan Africa and occasionally drawing comparisons with other regions of the world, this book critically addresses the development of the field focusing on the current opportunities and challenges within the African context. By using a wide variety of case studies that include Mozambique, Zambia, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Ivory Coast and Nigeria, the collection gives space to previously understudied regions of sub-Saharan Africa and challenges the over-reliance of western scholarship on political communication on the continent.

Media Reforms and Democratization in Emerging Democracies of Sub-Saharan Africa

Media Reforms and Democratization in Emerging Democracies of Sub-Saharan Africa PDF Author: Ufuoma Akpojivi
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319753010
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 177

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Book Description
This book examines the media reform processes and re-democratization projects of Ghana and Nigeria’s emerging democracies. It evaluates and critiques these reform processes, arguing that because of dependency approaches resulting from the transplanting of policy framework from the West into these emerging democracies, the policy goals and objectives of the reforms have not been achieved. Consequently, the inherent socio-cultural, economic and political factors, coupled with the historical antecedents of these countries, have also affected the reform process. Drawing from policy documents, analyses and interviews, Ufuoma Akpojivi argues that the lack of citizens’ active participation in policy processes has led to neo-liberalization and the continued universalization of Western ideologies such as democracy, media freedom and independence. Akpojivi posits that the recognition of socio-cultural, political and economic factors inherent to these emerging democracies, coupled with the communal participation of citizens, will facilitate true media reform processes and development of these countries.

Media and Democracy in Africa

Media and Democracy in Africa PDF Author: Michael Leslie
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351506374
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 340

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Book Description
Recent discussion of democratization in Africa has focused primarily on the reform of formal state institutions: the public service, the judiciary, and the legislature. Similarly, both scholars and activists have shown interest in how associational life-and with it a civil society-might be enhanced in the countries of the African continent. Much less concern, however, has been directed to the communications media, although they form a vital part of this process. Media and Democracy in Africa provides the first comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the role of the media in political change in sub-Saharan Africa. The central argument of the volume is that while the media may still be relatively weak compared to their positions in liberal democracies, they have come to play a much more important role than ever before since independence. Although they have not yet demonstrated sufficient effectiveness as public watchdogs and agenda setters, they have succeeded in creating new communicative spaces for people who have previously been intimidated or silent. Building on this the contributors argue that a different conceptualization of democratization than the mainstream currently uses may be necessary to capture the process in Africa where it is characterized by contestation rather than consolidation. This volume shows that the media scene in Africa is diverse. It stretches from the well-developed and technologically advanced situation in South Africa to the still fledgling media operations that are typical in sub-Saharan Africa. In these countries, print media as well as television and radio are just beginning to take their place in society and do so using simple and often outdated technology. The volume also examines how these growing outlets are supplemented by informal media, the so-called radio trottoir, or rumor mill whereby the autocratic and bureaucratic direction of public affairs are subject to private speculation and analysis. Media and Democracy in Africa is organized to provide a historical perspective on the evolution of the African media, placing the present in the context of the past, including both colonial and post-colonial experiences. It will be of interest to Africa area specialists, students of media and communications, political scientists and sociologists.

Media Reform

Media Reform PDF Author: Monroe E. Price
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134544359
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 296

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Book Description
Using examples of media from a range of countries in Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa including Uruguay, Poland, China, Indonesia, Jordan and Uganda, Media Reform considers the social and cultural implications of a free and independent media.

Mass Media and Political Communication in New Democracies

Mass Media and Political Communication in New Democracies PDF Author: Katrin Voltmer
Publisher: Psychology Press
ISBN: 0415337798
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 253

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Book Description
Using a comparative approach, this book examines how political communication and the mass media have played an important role in the consolidation of democratic institutions.

Media and Technology in Emerging African Democracies

Media and Technology in Emerging African Democracies PDF Author: Cosmas U. Nwokeafor
Publisher: University Press of America
ISBN: 0761851992
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 293

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Book Description
Media and Technology in Emerging African Democracies is a standard text that will give students an opportunity to familiarize themselves with some of the best literature in media technology impact in emerging African democracies with relevant concentration on information and communication technology (ICT). This textbook is a collection of essays that may be used as primary reading for courses on mass media technology, and information communication technology (ICT). It is also suitable as supplementary reading in media and politics, political science and courses that focus on political communication, and business communication. The book serves as a reference guide to mass media scholars, development communication experts, government leaders, and diplomats interested in media review, most importantly as it pertains to African democratic dispensations. The book includes contributions by scholars whose research interests in media and its relevant impact on African democratic system have stirred considerable academic discourse. The chapters span several social science disciplines, giving students, professionals, and government agencies an opportunity to see challenges from an interdisciplinary perspective.