Compiled by Elva Nziza, for AJENda and Afromedia.network.
We present a short selection of publications of interest to the African communications and media studies research community.
Authors: Noel Nutsugah, Fuseini Iddrisu, Obed Afari Kumi, Eva Kuupuolo, Edem Cephas Cudjoe, and Theophilus Peculiar
This recent article makes an important contribution to debates on the decolonization of media and communication scholarship in Africa. Published in Critical Studies in Media Communication, the study investigates the experiences of 32 African media and communication scholars and the challenges they face in producing and disseminating knowledge within a global academic system.
Using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, the authors identify several structural barriers that continue to constrain African scholarship. These include epistemic discrimination in academic publishing, inadequate institutional support, digital inequalities, and unequal international collaborations that often position African researchers as junior partners rather than equal contributors. The study also highlights how academic publishing is frequently driven by promotion requirements and institutional pressures instead of intellectual curiosity or societal needs.
The findings further reveal that restrictive visa regimes, limited research funding, and internal academic gatekeeping continue to hinder African scholars’ participation in international scholarly networks. Such challenges not only affect research productivity but also limit the visibility and influence of African perspectives in global media and communication studies.
The authors argue that meaningful decolonization requires reforms in institutional policies, research funding mechanisms, and publishing practices. They advocate for stronger African-led research networks, equitable collaborations, and greater recognition of African knowledge systems. The article provides valuable insights into the realities of academic knowledge production on the continent and offers practical recommendations for building a more inclusive and resilient research environment.
Authors: Emmanuel O. Nwosu, Ekene ThankGod Emeka, Agbutun S. Adzugbele, and Simplice A. Asongu
In their article, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Media Exposures: Implications for Women’s Decision-Making Authority in the Nigerian Household, Nwosu, Emeka, Adzugbele and Asongu (2026) examine the relationship between digital connectivity, media exposure, and women’s empowerment within Nigerian households. Published in Women’s Studies International Forum, the study contributes to growing scholarship on the role of information technologies in promoting gender equality and sustainable development.
Using data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), the authors employed Logistic Regression and Propensity Score Matching techniques to assess the impact of internet use and mass media exposure on women’s participation in household decision-making. Four dimensions of decision-making authority were examined: household purchases, income spending, visits to relatives, and health spending.
The findings indicate that women with internet access were more likely to participate in household decision-making than non-users. Internet users were 3.4% more likely to participate in household purchase decisions, 3.3% more likely to participate in health spending decisions, 0.7% more likely to participate in income spending decisions, and 3% more likely to participate in decisions concerning visits to relatives. Similarly, exposure to television and radio was associated with increased participation in decisions regarding household purchases, health expenditures, and income spending. However, while television exposure positively influenced decisions about visiting relatives, radio exposure was found to have a negative effect on this dimension.
The study highlights the transformative potential of ICTs and mass media in enhancing women’s agency and autonomy within traditionally patriarchal societies. By providing access to information, knowledge, and social networks, digital technologies can strengthen women’s bargaining power and participation in household affairs. The authors argue that improving digital literacy, expanding affordable internet access, and increasing women’s exposure to reliable media platforms can contribute significantly to women’s empowerment and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to gender equality.
Overall, the study provides important empirical evidence on how digital inclusion and media access can strengthen women’s decision-making authority in developing countries. It demonstrates that ICTs and media are not merely communication tools but also instruments for social transformation and gender empowerment.
Authors: Shangyuan Wu, Thorsten Quandt and Saïd Unger
In the article A Study of Alternative Media from the Global South/Non-Western Perspective: Scrutinizing How “Alternativeness” Varies in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East (2026) Wu, Quandt and Unger address a significant gap in alternative media scholarship, which has traditionally been dominated by Western perspectives. Published in Journalism, the study offers one of the first comparative examinations of how alternative media are conceptualized and practiced across different regions of the Global South.
The authors argue that existing theories of alternative media are largely derived from Western democratic contexts, where alternative media are commonly understood as counter-hegemonic platforms that challenge dominant political, economic, and media structures. Such perspectives often overlook the diverse political, cultural, and media environments found in non-Western societies. To address this limitation, the study synthesizes highly cited scholarly work from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East and employs an inductive approach to examine how the concept of “alternativeness” is understood across these regions.
The findings reveal considerable regional variation in the characteristics and functions of alternative media. Unlike Western conceptualizations that emphasize resistance to mainstream media and support for social movements, alternative media in the Global South are often shaped by specific political regimes, media ownership structures, cultural contexts, and patterns of state control. In many cases, alternative media serve not only as platforms for counter-hegemonic voices but also as spaces for political mobilization, social participation, cultural expression, and access to information.
A major contribution of the study is the development of a five-factor framework for understanding variations in “alternativeness.” The framework highlights the importance of: (1) the nature of mainstream media systems, (2) the characteristics of political systems, (3) the actors producing alternative media, (4) the methods through which alternative media are produced, and (5) the goals and purposes these media seek to achieve. According to the authors, these factors help explain why alternative media differ substantially across regions and why Western definitions cannot be universally applied.
The study makes an important theoretical contribution by challenging the universalization of Western media theories and advocating for a more context-sensitive understanding of alternative media. By foregrounding perspectives from the Global South, the authors demonstrate that alternative media are shaped by local histories, power relations, and socio-political conditions. Their framework provides a valuable tool for comparative media research and contributes to ongoing efforts to decolonize communication and journalism studies.
- Communication for social change in sub-Saharan Africa: amplifying the marginalised voices
Communication for Social Change in Sub-Saharan Africa: Amplifying the Marginalised Voices examines how communication serves as a catalyst for transformative change across the continent. It demonstrates how dialogue, storytelling, and media can motivate action and promote progress towards more equitable and inclusive societies.Drawing on vivid narratives and diverse case studies, the book examines how communities are using communication to address issues such as gender inequality, public health, human rights, and participatory governance. It highlights the rise of digital activism and grassroots movements that are redefining civic engagement and social transformation. By showcasing how new media technologies enable individuals to craft their own narratives, the book emphasises communication’s crucial role in fostering collective agency and sustainable change.This book is aimed at scholars, practitioners, and policymakers in political science, development studies, and media and communication. It will also appeal to activists, journalists, and students who seek to understand how communication can be used to amplify marginalised voices and generate lasting social impact across Sub-Saharan Africa.