Digital activism in the social media era: critical reflections on emerging trends in Sub-Saharan Africa

This book probes the vitality, potentiality and ability of new communication and technological changes to drive online-based civil action across Africa. In a continent booming with mobile innovation and a plethora of social networking sites, the Internet is considered a powerful platform used by pro-democracy activists to negotiate and sometimes push for reform-based political and social changes in Africa. The book discusses and theorizes digital activism within social and geo-political realms, analysing cases such as the #FeesMustFall and #BringBackOurGirls campaigns in South Africa and Nigeria respectively to question the extent to which they have changed the dynamics of digital activism in sub-Saharan Africa. Comparative case study reflections in eight African countries identify and critique digital concepts questioning what impact they have had on the civil society. Cases also explore the African LGBT community as a social movement while discussing opportunities and challenges faced by online activists fighting for LGBT equality. Finally, gender-based activists using digital tools to gain attention and facilitate social changes are also appraised

Digital Activism in the Social Media Era -- Foreword -- References -- Contents -- List of Figures -- List of Tables -- Part I Political Engagements in Mediated Online Communities -- 1 Dovetailing Desires for Democracy with New ICTs' Potentiality as Platform for Activism -- Introduction -- Activism in Africa: Towards an African Spring? -- Rethinking Activism -- Digital Engagements: Lessons Learnt -- Chapter Summaries -- References -- 2 Engaging in Polarized Society: Social Media and Political Discourse in Ethiopia -- Zone 9 Bloggers-Seeking a Shrinking Middle Ground -- Methodology -- Campaigning Locally and Globally -- Discussion -- Conclusion -- Notes -- References -- 3 Baba Jukwa and the Digital Repertoires of Connective Action in a 'Competitive Authoritarian Regime': The Case of Zimbabwe -- Introduction and Background of the Study -- SMs and the Internet -- An Overview of Social Movements in Zimbabwe -- Civic Vacuum and the Emergence of Baba Jukwa -- Conceptual Framework -- Methodology -- Discussion and Analysis of Findings -- How was the Facebook Page Deployed by Baba Jukwa to Advocate for Political Change in Zimbabwe? -- BJ Facebook Page and Collective Action Frames in Zimbabwe -- Baba Jukwa and Digital Repertoires of Connective Action -- Conclusion -- Notes -- References -- 4 Digital Activism in Uganda -- Introduction -- Activism and Digital Activism -- Prospects for Digital Activism in Uganda -- Mixed Messages on Freedom of Expression, Access to Information and the Right to Privacy -- Circumscribing Activism -- Doing Digital Activism in Uganda -- The Save Mabira Campaign 2007/2011 -- The Campaign in the Media -- New Media -- The March -- Achievement of the Save Mabira Campaign -- Challenges of the Mabira Campaign -- The Walk-To-Work Protests of 2011 and the 2016 Elections -- The Campaign in the Media (2016) -- The 2016 Elections