Patterns of Harassment in African Journalism

This volume examines the trends and patterns of journalists’ harassment in Africa and assesses the policy interventions and protection mechanisms that are put into place in the region.

Drawing from case studies from selected African countries, an international team of authors offer a broad insight into the state of harassment across the continent, while building new theoretical perspectives that are also context-specific. The chapters bring previous theories and research up to date by addressing the continual change and development of new discourses, including the use of big data and artificial intelligence in harassing and intimidating journalists and mental health issues affecting journalists in their line of duty. More so, the authors argue that the state and form of harassment is not universal, as location and context are some of the key factors that influence the form and character of harassment.

Offering new theoretical insights into the scope of journalism practices in Africa, this book will interest students and scholars of journalism, African studies, political science, media and communication studies, journalism practice and gender studies.

Lungile Augustine Tshuma is Researcher at the Centre for Communication and Culture, Universidade Catolica Portuguesa, Portugal. He holds a Ph.D. in journalism studies from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. He has worked at the University of Johannesburg as a Senior Post-Doctoral Researcher. Lungile’s research interests are in photography, memory and journalism.

Trust Matsilele is Senior Lecturer in the College of English and Media, Birmingham City University, United Kingdom. He publishes in the areas of changing journalism ecologies, social media and protest cultures and the intersection of education and technology. Matsilele holds a Ph.D. in Communication Studies from the University of Johannesburg.

Mbongeni Jonny Msimanga is Senior Post Doctoral Fellow at the Johannesburg Institute of Advanced Study (JIAS). South Africa. He completed his Ph.D. in 2022. Previously, Mbongeni was a recipient for the Canon Collins Sol Plaatje scholarship. Mbongeni’s research interests are Journalism Practice, Digital Cultures and Social Media Activism, Cultural Studies.

Sadia Jamil is Assistant Professor and Director of Research at the School of International Communications, the University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China. She is also the Director of Institute of Mobile Studies at UNNC. She earned a Ph.D. in Journalism (University of Queensland, Australia). She has taught courses at the Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi and in the past, at the University of Queensland, Australia.