ABSTRACT

This special issue examines the intricacies of journalism practices, policies and media regulation in contemporary Africa. The studies carried in the issue collectively offer three broad contributions to (African) journalism studies. First, they demonstrate how law and regulation are used to control and, in some cases, stifle the practice of journalism. Second, studies examine the challenges presented by new digital technologies to both the practice of journalism as well as the law and regulation by which it is governed. In particular, the studies highlight how digital technologies blur the definition of journalism, how they provide an opportunity for journalists to overcome state censorship and surveillance, and also how online platforms can offer an arena for nationalistic discourses, divisions and hate. Finally, the special issue bolsters the relevance of investigating media practices and regulation policy for radio broadcasting in Africa, while also signalling the prospering significance of empirical research into new media and their relationship with law and policy.

摘要

本期特刊探讨了新闻实践，政策和媒体监管的复杂性在当代非洲。本期杂志进行的研究共同为（非洲）新闻学研究提供了三大贡献。首先，他们展示了如何使用法律和法规来控制新闻，并在某些情况下扼杀新闻实践。其次，研究考察了新数字技术对新闻业的实践以及新闻业所依据的法律和法规的挑战。这些研究特别强调了数字技术如何使新闻界的定义模糊，它们如何为记者提供克服国家审查和监视的机会，以及在线平台如何为民族主义的话语，分歧和仇恨提供舞台。最后，该特刊强调了调查非洲无线电广播的媒体做法和监管政策的相关性，