Digital Dissidence and Social Media Censorship in Africa

This book reflects on the rapid rise of social media across the African continent, and the legal and extra-legal efforts governments have invented to try to contain it. It reflects on the Chinese influence in African governments’ clampdown on social media and the role of Israeli NSO Group Technologies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 274 pages
Publication date: 27 July 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The rapid proliferation of social media across the African continent has sparked a significant response from governments seeking to regulate and control its impact. This book delves into the legal and extra-legal measures employed by these governments to curb the growth of social media, while also examining the ways in which young Africans have harnessed these platforms for resistance, self-expression, and national identity formation. Contributors explore the diverse forms and manifestations of social media censorship, including antisocial media laws, state cybersurveillance, spyware attacks on social media activists, and the strategic use of fake news as a tool to suppress critical voices.

Furthermore, the book sheds light on the Chinese influence in African governments' crackdown on social media and the role played by Israeli NSO Group Technologies in enabling such censorship. It also examines the innovative tactics and technologies employed by activists and users to resist or circumvent social media censorship, highlighting the ongoing struggle for digital freedom and democracy in Africa.

Drawing on a diverse range of methodologies and disciplinary perspectives, this book offers valuable insights for researchers interested in social media activism, digital rebellion, discursive democracy in transitional societies, internet censorship, and African studies more broadly. It serves as a crucial resource for understanding the complex dynamics between social media, government control, and the evolving landscape of digital rights in the continent.

Weight: 700g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032232263