Social Media and Elections in Africa, Volume 2 : Challenges and Opportunities

This book, the second of two volumes, explores the challenges and opportunities presented by the increased presence of social media within African politics. Electoral processes in Africa have assumed new dimensions due to the influence of social media. As social media permeates different aspects of elections, it is ostensibly creating new challenges and opportunities. Most evident are the challenges of hate speech, misogyny and incivility. This book considers the impact of digital media before, during, and after elections, as well as authorities' attempts to legislate and regulate the internet in response. Contributions to this volume analyse social media posts, transgressive images, newspaper articles, and include case studies of Algeria, Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria and Uganda. This results in the delivery of an original depiction of the use of social media in a variety of African contexts. This book will appeal to academics and students of media and communication studies, political studies, journalism, sociology, and African studies. Contents Notes on Contributors List of Figures List of Tables Chapter 1: Introduction: Social Media, Political Cultures and Elections in Africa Introduction Chapter 2: Misogyny, Social Media and Electoral Democracy in Zimbabwe’s 2018 Elections Introduction The Zimbabwean Electoral Landscape and the 2018 Elections The Disgrace Narrative: Gender and Elections in Zimbabwe Findings and Discussion Family Status Physical Appearance vis-à-vis Political Competency The Political Public Versus the Domestic Private Misogyny and Cyber Violence Against Women Implications of the ‘Disgrace’ Narrative and Women’s Participation in Politics Concluding Remarks References Chapter 3: Women and Election Activism in Uganda: The Pads4Girls Social Media Campaign Introduction Social Media in Uganda Women in Politics and Elections Menstruation: Taboo, Hygiene and Political Value Social Media and Political Communication Gender, Social Media and Political Behaviour Methods Findings Post Format Categories of Content of Posts Political Messages Mobilisation and Advocacy Distribution of Pads Posts with Mixed Content Contributing to Political Change and Electoral Democracy? Impact of the Pads4Girls Campaign Discussion and Conclusions References Interview Chapter 4: Discrimination Against Female Politicians on Social Media: An Analysis of Tweets in the Run-Up to the July 2018 Harmonised Elections in Zimbabwe Introduction Methodology and Theoretical Underpinnings Questioning the Marital Status of Female Politicians Infantilisation and Shaming of Female Politicians Violence Beyond the Space of Social Media Conclusion References Chapter 5: Young People, Social Media, and Political Participation. The Limits of Discursive (In)Civility in the Kenyan Context Introduction Prospects for Digital Participation Dimensions of Democratic Participation Discursive (In)Civility Methodology Findings and Discussions Social Media as News Sources Youth as ‘Influencers’ Active and Passive Political Participation Incivility: Hate Speech, Sexism, and Ethnicity Conclusion References Chapter 6: Youth, Elections and Social Media: Understanding the Critical (Di)Stance Between Young People and Political Party Messaging Introduction Understanding the Context of the 2016 Local Government Elections Social Media Messaging and the Complexity of Hegemonic Reading Methodology Findings and Discussion Conclusion References Chapter 7: Social Media as a New Source of Empowerment in Algeria Introduction Political, Technological and Social Background Social and Demographic Figures Cosmetic Pluralism Media Policy The Emergence of Social Media Social Media and Mobile Internet Social Media and Political Communication Social Media, Politics and Political Empowerment Social Media as a New Space for Political Expression and Press Freedom Social Media and Society Webdialna’ Main Findings Facebook as Main Social Media Social Media, ICT and Political Parties Social Media and Social Movement of 2019 Social Media Engine and Tools for Mobilization From ‘Platforms to Streets and Reality’ Supremacy of Facebook Conclusion References Websites Chapter 8: Post Digital Dialogue and Activism in the Public Sphere Introduction Post Digital Dialogue and Activism Power, Biopower and Agency of Activists Social Movements and Their Connective Action Conclusion References Chapter 9: #ThisFlag: Social Media and Cyber-Protests in Zimbabwe Introduction Contextualizing the Study Digital Media Technologies and Political Activism: The Convoluted Debate? Conceptual and Methodological Approaches Discussion and Analysis of Findings #ThisFlag Movement Failure of Leadership and Economic Mismanagement Violence and Corruption Concluding Remarks References Chapter 10: #Zuma Must Fall This February: Homophily on the Echo-Chambers of Political Leaders’ Twitter Accounts Introduction Background and Method Literature Review Findings and Discussion Political Communication Style Other Agenda and Discourses Post #ZumaMustFall Engagement with the Public Engagement with Other Political Parties Engagement with Journalists Populism Homophily and Political Chambers Concluding Remarks References Chapter 11: An Analysis of Newspapers’ Coverage of Hate Speech in Nigeria Introduction Research Problem Hate Speech Mass Mediation Theoretical Framework Methodology Data Analysis Based on Research Questions Discussion Conclusion References Chapter 12: A Critical Analysis of Transgressive User-Generated Images and Memes and Their Portrayal of Dominant Political Discourses During Nigeria’s 2015 General Elections Introduction Elections in Nigeria Digital Culture and Political Satirical Discourse Theoretical Underpinning Research Objectives Methodology Findings and Discussion Political Exclusion Political Agenda Setting and Awakening of Citizens’ Political Consciousness Gendered Power Relations The Apolitical Netizens Behind Every Humour, There Is an Iota of Truth Cyber Fights and Cyberbullying The Media Question Survival of the Fittest? Influence of ‘the Superpower’ Conclusion References Chapter 13: Discourses on Political Advertising in South Africa: A Social Media Reception Analysis Introduction Case Study Analysis: The Democratic Alliance’s Negative Political Advertisement—‘i-ANC Ayisafani’ Electioneering Through Negative Political Advertisements Regulation of Broadcast Negative Political Advertisement in South Africa Social Media as a Public Sphere for Political Discourse During Election Seasons A Brief Overview of the Reception Theory Variables Used to Measure the Reception of Negative Political Advertisements Methodology Limitations of the Study Findings and Discussion Censorship The Streisand Effect DA De-campaigning of the ANC Brigade and the Backlash Effect The Backlash Effect Anti-Zuma and the Mandela Legacy Self-Efficacy and the Belief to Make Change Through Votes Truthfulness Levels of Involvement (Brand Loyalty) and Racial Alignments Conclusion References Index