Role of Media in Africa’s democracy and security – a double-edged sword

By Princess Sekyere BIH

Current reports by the Africa Peer Review Mechanism, Afrobarometer, and the United Nations Development Programme suggest that Africa is experiencing a democratic decline ( APRM, 2023; Afrobarometer, 2024 and UNDP, 2024). This is due to a myriad of factors, including recent military coups and election violence, especially in the Western and Central African regions.

In 2023 alone, Niger and Gabon witnessed the overthrow of their governments which have undermined democratic institutions and raised concerns about the future of democracy in these countries. Likewise, several African nations have seen a decline in the quality of their electoral processes.

For instance, Tanzania’s 2020 elections were marred by allegations of widespread irregularities and repression of opposition parties (Council on Foreign Relations, 2021). This trend in Africa is not different globally.

The Freedom in the World 2024 report reveals that political rights and civil liberties have dropped due to electoral irregularities, military coups, and civil conflicts (Freedom House, 2024). Despite these challenges, there are still pockets of resilience and hope.

While African citizens’ perception of the extent and satisfaction of democracy has reduced considerably, studies show that more African citizens prefer democracy to any other form of governance (Afrobarometer, 2024).

In light of this, how can African countries deepen democracy on the continent amidst the current challenges? The article examines the dual role of the media, also referred to as ‘the fourth estate of the realm,’ in both strengthening democracy and serving as a threat to security on the continent by fueling election violence and civil conflicts.

Within the last few years, the media in Africa  have undergone significant transformation driven by technological advancements, increased access to information, and the rise of social media, as evidenced by data from 39 countries on the continent.

Despite the increasing popularity of digital media over the years, radio remains the most widely accessed medium, according to the report. While this recent progress in Africa’s media provides new opportunities for Africans to be informed and for the Media to deepen their role as the watchdog, and agenda-setter, it also presents new challenges in the form of disinformation and divisive language, posing a threat to peace and security in countries particularly during elections as are in the cases of La Cote D’Ívoire in 2012 and Kenya in 2017.

Media as a pillar of democracy

Print and electronic media, as communication channels, are crucial to actualizing democracy in Africa. According to a study by Okocha and Dapoet (2024), the media in Africa have been instrumental in consolidating democracy by promoting political pluralism and facilitating public engagement in significant decision-making processes.

Shea (1998) explained that the media promotes political pluralism by showcasing diverse views on issues, sparking public debate, and increasing participation in key decisions. The media keep politicians aware of public opinion and provide a platform for explaining policies and gaining support (Shea,1998).

Ghana has often received commendations as a great example of democracy on the continent because the media have played an essential role in facilitating peaceful transitions of power by reporting extensively on electoral processes and outcomes (Angelou, 2023). Similarly, in South Africa, investigative journalism has been crucial in exposing corruption scandals, thus fostering a political culture of accountability.

The Institute for Economics and Peace (2013) highlights that free information flow is  crucial to ensure peace. It asserts that media is one of the eight “Pillars of Peace” that provide information to citizens and enable them to engage the political process (Institute of Economic and Peace, 2013).

The media disseminate information on laws, policies, service delivery programmes, and priorities from the government and politicians to the people by reporting on the people’s opinions and reactions to policies and issues (Happer & Philo, 2013).

The agenda-setting function of media establishes its relevance to democracy and conflict resolution processes. Joseph (2014) claims that the media influences agendas through placement, tone, repetition, and selective analysis. He argues that there is an understanding that the media often set the agenda, and political action follows when they give attention to an issue (Joseph, 2014).

In the agenda-setting theory, Wu and Coleman (2009) explain that mass media influences public concerns more than public opinion. In other words, the topics that get the most media reports become the subjects of public discourse, debate, and calls for action.

In regions plagued by insecurity, the media play a constructive role by highlighting the root causes of conflicts, promoting dialogue, and advocating for peaceful solutions. How the media frame and present threats and the amount of interest devoted to such concerns impacts how people and governments perceive threats and respond.

Isike and Omotoso (2017) revealed that in countries like Nigeria and Somalia, where insurgencies and ethnic conflicts are prevalent, the media have been instrumental in framing and bringing attention to the plight of affected communities and the need for government intervention.

By setting the agenda on security issues, the media can influence policymakers to prioritize conflict resolution and allocate resources to address the underlying causes of insecurity. Therefore, when the media fail to set an agenda or address a particular democratic issue, it is downgraded in the public and government’s minds (Hanson, 2009).

Media as a threat to security

The increased use of social media in Africa has introduced new dynamics to its media landscape. However, the unhindered nature of social media in Africa gives rise to significant risks (Wasserman, 2020). Misleading stories and rampant propaganda usually spread unchecked.

In 2020, the Tanzanian elections were flawed by proclamations of widespread irregularities and repression of opposition parties (Council of Foreign Relations, 2021). Social media played a significant role in circulating misinformation and hate speech, which exacerbated tensions and undermined the credibility of the electoral process.

Similarly, the 2021 general elections in Uganda were characterized by violence and media restrictions. Social media platforms were used to circulate false information and provoke violence, further destabilizing the political environment. In West and Central Africa, disinformation on social media platforms is a significant problem.

The spread of unfair, false news and manipulated narratives have been used to delegitimize political opponents and cement authoritarian rule. Social media usage has been a double-edged sword in Nigeria (Hassan, 2022).

While it has facilitated politically sound discourse and engagement, it has also been a platform for circulating misinformation and hate speech. This gave rise to increased political polarization, particularly during the election period.

Balancing act of media role in deepening democracy and security on the continent

In conclusion, the media’s dual role in Africa’s democratic terrain presents opportunities and challenges. As the “fourth estate of the realm,” the media have played a vital role in reinforcing democracy, encouraging accountability, and developing political pluralism.

Ghanaian and South African case studies demonstrate how conflict-sensitive media may fight corruption and promote peaceful political transitions. Moreover, the media’s agenda-setting function highlights its ability to influence public discourse and drive political discussion and action on critical security and governance issues.

However, the emergence of social media and the quick development of digital media have brought complications that jeopardize stability and peace. As demonstrated in nations like Tanzania, Uganda, and Mali, the unfettered spread of propaganda, hate speech, and disinformation highlights how the media may erode democratic institutions and exacerbate conflict. Therefore, the problem is to balance the media’s revolutionary potential and the requirement for protection against its abuse.

To deepen democracy amidst these challenges, African governments, media stakeholders, and civil society must collaborate to strengthen media knowledge. Shea (1998) recommends that media capacity be developed to broaden their understanding and knowledge of subjects and equip them to check sources before reporting. Multi-stakeholder action is needed to promote ethical and conflict-sensitive journalism and regulate digital platforms responsibly.

Shea (1998) adds that the media must set the political agenda: provide details without sensationalizing or trivializing, avoid dis, mis and mal information, and preserve state information to avoid causing national security problems or endangering individuals.

In so doing, the media can remain a pillar of democracy, advancing political involvement and accountability while mitigating the dangers of polarization and conflict. The future of Africa’s democracy hinges on harnessing the power of the media to inform, unite, and empower its citizens.

>>>the writer is Director of Kingdom Concepts Consult; Convenor of Multistakeholder Dialogue on Media and Security. She can be reached via [email protected] or [email protected] 

References

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• Asunka, J. (2023). Democracy in crisis: Africa’s long-standing democracies under pressure, Afrobarometer CEO warns. https://www.afrobarometer.org/articles/democracy-in-crisis-africas-long-standing-democracies-under-pressure-afrobarometer-ceo-warns/
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• Isike, C. A., & Omotoso, S. A. (2017). Reporting Africa: The role of the media in (un)shaping the democratic agenda. In C. Ojebode (Ed.), Political communication in Africa (pp. 209–227). SpringerLink.
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