Preconference: African Media Studies in the Digital Age

Session Submission Type: Panel

Abstract

This pre-conference will bring together established and emerging scholars to 1) showcase state of the art research in African media studies & 2) reflect on current developments in this sub-field. The African continent has undergone tremendous urbanization, economic growth, & technological evolution over the last decade. In parallel, it has experienced several intra & inter-state conflicts, humanitarian/health crises as well as democratization progress & popular protests involving a wide range of “Africtivists.” What role do digital media play in these various processes & across different African contexts? Do they contribute to a significant shift of power away from autocratic rule & external political and economic forces? How do diaspora, vernacular and foreign media affect local cultures and politics? At a broader level, how can the African contexts contribute to rethink the epistemological foundations of media studies?

This event proposes to bring together leading and emerging scholars in African media studies to showcase state of the art research as well as to reflect on current developments in the subfield. The papers will engage theoretical issues, methodological challenges and innovation, and showcase original empirical research from across the continent (Central, Eastern, North, Southern and West Africa). This way, the event aims to display the diversity of research in the subfield and to consider the variety of experiences across the continent.

Sub Unit

• Sponsored Sessions

Participants

• Herman Wasserman, U of Cape Town

• Leslie Steeves, U of Oregon

• Mel Bunce

• Chris Paterson, U of Leeds