Internet access in Zimbabwe is on the rise but is mainly accommodating the upper echelons of society. Photo: IMS

Glocal NOMAD seminar highlights major gains in the use of information technology in democratisation and civic engagement in Africa. Limited access and obstruction from authorities does however create continued need for more traditional media

The often record-breaking growth in the number of mobile phones and access to the Internet has been one of the success stories in Africa and other poverty-stricken continents; but to what extent does this support democratisation and good governance?

This was the topic at a seminar hosted by IMS and Glocal NOMAD, a network between the universities of Roskilde, Århus and Malmö that shares knowledge on the role of media and communication in development.

Equipment cannot stand alone

The seminar looked at examples ranging from Obama-style presidential election campaigns in Cameroun to the use of ICT by local authorities in Kenya. While the increased presence of new technology in all cases is undeniable and encouraging, it was also clear that modern communication demands far more than equipment.
In the case of Cameroun, Teke Ngomba highlighted how presidential candidates had borrowed heavily from the Internet driven campaign of the US’ Barack Obama but not always understood that technology without content does not necessarily create a winner.

From Kenya, Winnie Mitullah reported on the use of ICT in local authorities that had registered the same frustrations as many first-generation users of technology in public administration: while the public’s increased access to information and accountability among civil servants is appreciated, the users quickly develop an expectation of perfection that is far from always available.

ICT does not erase need for traditional media

Thomas Hughes of IMS highlighted the role of digital communication in mobilising democratic forces against autocratic governments citing the Twitter-born demonstrations in Iran as an example; but he also pointed out that many of these governments are at least as creative as the dissidents and use their often-superior resources to electronically block communication or spread propaganda and disinformation.

It is also IMS’ experience that the rapid spread of ICT has not erased the need for more traditional media when it comes to democratisation. In the case of Zimbabwe it was pointed out that new media often “preaches to the converted”. ICT typically reaches the already well-informed urban elite while the rural population suffers from an information gap caused by limited access to mobile telephone networks and the Internet and a state monopoly on radio and TV. In such cases, there is still a need for alternative and often printed media.