https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-e-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-r/
---------- Forwarded message --------- From: The Conversation <nore...@theconversation.com> Date: Thu, Dec 19, 2019, 11:30 PM Subject: Social media and politics To: cl...@e-democracy.org <cl...@e-democracy.org> Edition: Africa - Today's top story: Analysis across Africa shows how social media is changing politics Click here to view this message in your web-browser <https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-e-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-r/>. Edition: Africa 20 December 2019 [image: The Conversation] <https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-l-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-j/> Academic rigour, journalistic flair Editor's note Social media has shaped political engagement in Africa in diverse and complex ways this year. Some political leaders have viewed these digital platforms as a threat but for others, it has mobilised and challenged leadership and expanded political participation. In this special edition we bring you some good analysis on the issue. Maggie Dwyer and Thomas Molony provided <https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-l-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-t/> an insightful continent-wide overview. Nic Cheeseman looked at <https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-l-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-i/> the Nigerian election to show how Whatsapp was used to mislead voters while Tolu Olarewaju explained <https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-l-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-d/> how citizens in the country have been using social media to tackle corruption and hold officials to account. There were also internet shutdowns, as George Ogola discussed <https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-l-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-h/>, and Julius T. Nganji and Lynn Cockburn looked at <https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-l-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-k/> how social media can amplify violence. Finally, Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala explored <https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-l-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-u/> why Uganda continues to limit freedom of expression despite strong international laws and conventions that defend free speech. *Julius Maina* Regional Editor East Africa Social media and politics <https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-l-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-o/> The government of President Idriss Deby in Chad blocked citizens’ internet access for 16 months. EPA-EFE/ABIR SULTAN Analysis across Africa shows how social media is changing politics <https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-l-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-b/> Maggie Dwyer, University of Edinburgh; Thomas Molony, University of Edinburgh Social media is shaping Africa’s political engagement in diverse and complex ways. <https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-l-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-n/> WhatsApp played a big role in the Nigerian election. Not all of it was bad <https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-l-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-p/> Nic Cheeseman, University of Birmingham In the recent Nigerian election WhatsApp was used to mislead voters in increasingly sophisticated ways. But it also strengthened democracy in other areas. <https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-l-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-x/> Can social media help anti-corruption drives? A Nigerian case study <https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-l-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-m/> Tolu Olarewaju, Staffordshire University Tackling corruption is notoriously difficult but Nigeria is pursuing a fresh approach. Using technology, especially social media, its citizens are producing evidence to hold officials to account. <https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-l-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-c/> Shutting down the internet doesn’t work – but governments keep doing it <https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-l-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-q/> George Ogola, University of Central Lancashire Shutting down or controlling access to the internet has become a go-to strategy among some African states who want to control the political narrative. <https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-l-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-a/> How Twitter has been used in Cameroon’s Anglophone crisis <https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-l-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-f/> Julius T. Nganji, University of Toronto; Lynn Cockburn, University of Toronto In many instances, social media appears to be amplifying violence, creating a culture of impunity when perpetrators are not held accountable, and increasing insecurity and suspicion. <https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-l-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-z/> How Uganda is using old and new laws to block activists on social media <https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-l-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-v/> Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala, Makerere University There is a strong framework of international laws and conventions that defend free speech, but Uganda continues to limit freedom of expression especially when the people criticise their president. <https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-l-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-e/> South Africa gets help tracking down social media predators ahead of poll <https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-l-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-s/> Martin Plaut, School of Advanced Study Concern at the role of fake sites in influencing South African public opinion has been growing over time. Would you like to republish any of these articles? It’s free to republish, here are the guidelines <https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-l-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-g/>. Contact us on africa-republ...@theconversation.com in case you need assistance. Follow us on Twitter. <https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-l-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-w/> Join us on Facebook. <https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-l-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-yd/> 10.7 million unique visitors a month You’re receiving this newsletter from The Conversation <https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-l-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-yh/>. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe instantly <https://theconversationafrica.cmail19.com/t/r-u-jduiiktd-huttdjuukd-y/>. We’ll miss you. 18th Floor, University Corner, Cnr Bertha and Jorissen Streets, Braamfontein, 2000 South Africa ―― View topic http://groups.dowire.org/r/topic/2meZSPQmjgxF25xgIm9fAU Leave group mailto:newswire@groups.dowire.org?subject=Unsubscribe
