Cambridge University Press Media, Conflict, and the State in Africa

Countries emerging from violent conflict face difficult challenges about what the role of media should be in political transitions, particularly when attempting to build a new state and balance a difficult legacy. Media, Conflict, and the State in Africa discusses how ideas, institutions and interests have shaped media systems in some of Africa's most complex state and nation-building projects. This timely book comes at a turbulent moment in global politics as waves of populist protests gain traction, and concerns continue to grow about fake news, social media echo chambers, and the increasing role of both traditional and new media in waging wars or influencing elections. Focusing on comparative cases from a historical perspective and the choices and ideas that informed the approaches of some of Africa's leaders, including guerrilla commanders Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia, Nicole Stremlau offers a unique political insight into the development of contemporary media systems in Africa. Review 'From her in-depth analysis of the region's history, contemporary media use, and future potentials, Streamlau has demonstrated what excellent media and journalism analysis can and should look like across the African continent and developing world.' Allison Hailey Hahn, International Journal of Communication Book Description Explores the ideas, interests and institutions that shape the development of media systems, particularly in countries engaged in, and emerging from, violent conflict. About the Author Nicole Stremlau is Head of the Programme in Comparative Media Law and Policy at the University of Oxford and Research Professor in Humanities at the University of Johannesburg. She has conducted extensive research in Eastern Africa and previously worked for a newspaper in Ethiopia. Nicole is the recipient of a European Research Council grant that examines the role of social media in conflict and migration, with a specific focus on the Somali territories. Her work has appeared in journals such as African Affairs, Third World Quarterly, Review of African Political Economy and the International Journal of Communications. She is also the co-author, with Monroe Price, of Speech and Society in Turbulent Times (Cambridge, 2017).