Tabloid Journalism in Africa

verfasst von: Brian Chama

Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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Über dieses Buch

This book provides a timely and important summary of tabloid journalism in Africa, which clearly shows how tabloids in the African context play a unique role in the democratization process. Prior to this book, very little was known about how tabloid journalists operate in Africa. The book first explores the global practice of journalism and then focuses on tabloid journalism – finally situating the discussion within the African context. As well as concentrating on how tabloid journalism can be seen as part of the broader neo-liberal thinking in Africa, in which democracy and freedom of expression is promoted, it also looks at how tabloid journalism practice has been met with resistance from the alliance of forces. Chama draws on examples from across the continent looking at success stories and struggles within the sometime infotainment genre. Tabloid Journalism in Africa concludes that even though challenges exist, there is a strong case to suggest that the practice of tabloid journalism is being readily accepted by many people as part of the unique voices of democracy – even those which might be shocking yet true.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

1. Introduction: Tabloid Journalism in Africa

Abstract

Brian Chama discusses the much-needed insights on the intersection of tabloid journalism in Africa and how it plays a critical role in democracy. Focusing on print media, the chapter also draws attention to tabloid journalism on Internet, on radio talk shows, and on television, which are part of the wider imperatives changing the practice of tabloid journalism and its definition of tabloidisation. In addition to looking at the challenges faced by the tabloid journalists in their practice within the infotainment genre, Brian explores some of the success stories within the tabloid journalism practice in Africa cutting across the entire continent with varieties of examples. The introductory chapter on tabloid journalism in Africa offers an engaging discussion on how tabloid journalism is shaping democracy using sensational language accompanied by sensational pictures.

Brian Chama

2. Global Journalism Practice

Abstract

Understanding tabloid journalism in Africa requires insights on how global journalism practice operates, and how it should be viewed and critiqued. It is within this context that Brian Chama offers a much-needed summary of global journalism practice in order to situate and comprehend effectively the practice of tabloid journalism in Africa. Chama explores the scholarly debates by looking at the definition of the press, then the independent press, and the press freedom, before finally looking at the tabloid press. The chapter offers examples of tabloidisation in both print and broadcasting media including the digital technologies. It then explores the challenges within the context of law and the professional practice. Chama concludes that the practice of tabloid journalism in Africa can be seen as part of the imperatives that shape global tabloid journalism practice, and that, though it might be shocking, and not of everyone’s taste, there is a need for varieties of voices within democracy as all voices matter.

Brian Chama

3. The Post, Zambia

Abstract

Brian Chama discusses the tabloid newspaper operating in Zambia to help understand the practice of tabloid journalism in Africa. Focusing on The Post, the chapter also draws attention to its professional and editorial policy, its sales and advertising, and how it functions within the legal and political frameworks. In addition to looking at its muckraking tabloid journalism and offering some of its investigatory whizzy stories, it engages interviews with its tabloid journalists and how they view their roles within the infotainment genre and within the broader context of democracy. The chapter concludes with the tabloid presenting a story of an enduring publication that survived various times of adversities that has characterised its existence since its inception.

Brian Chama

4. Weekly Citizen, Kenya

Abstract

Brian provides a discussion on tabloid journalism practice in Kenya focusing on the Weekly Citizen often referred to an alternative press. The chapter looks at its formation, and its professional practice. It discusses how the tabloid operates within the infotainment genre and its role in democracy. Brian provides some of challenges the tabloid often grapple with, and how it has positioned itself. The chapter provides some of the stories that have led to its popularity as an infotainment genre and how it has suffered persistent crackdown by the government and political authorities. Brian also offers insights on how its tabloid journalists operate, and how their work exposes them to various arrests and even death threats. Brian concludes that the tabloid has struggled to be accepted by some people, especially members of the mainstream media, while others see it as a must read for its taste of salacious and sensational stories.

Brian Chama

5. Daily Sun, South Africa

Abstract

Brian offers insights on the tabloid operating in South Africa by focusing on the Daily Sun. The chapter draws on various scholarly debates on the tabloid since its inception. Brian explores its content and its popularity, as a fastest growing tabloid in Africa, and how it has now become largely accepted by the wider members of the community. The chapter looks at its role in democracy, its professional challenges, and provides some of the stories that have led to its popularity, while at the same time, to critics discrediting its position in social and cultural affairs. It also provides interviews content with the tabloid newspaper readers in the country since its inception. It concludes that even though the tabloid newspaper is often criticized for lowering media standards, its popularity and increasing circulation figures since its inception is a testimony that it is playing an important role in the lives of many people, who flock to newsstands to buy it every day.

Brian Chama

6. Tabloid Journalism Aspirations in Africa

Abstract

Brian offers a summary of ‘Tabloid Journalism Practice in Africa’, revisiting some of the insights discussed in the book, and reflecting on the global practice of tabloid journalism, and its positioning in Africa. Brian looks at the challenges and success stories comparatively throughout the analysis and refocuses some of the aspirations to the future of tabloid journalism in Africa. Brian concludes that the various criticisms pointed at tabloid journalism, they are not only unique to this genre, but to the broader journalism practice as well, and that, tabloidisation in Africa is now finding its roots in radio, online, and television, further stretching the definition. Additionally, Brian concludes that the book needs to be given weight for engaging scholarly debates in the scarcely explored field of tabloid journalism in Africa, and for engaging views of the tabloid journalists themselves as men and women who work in the infotainment genre.

Brian Chama

Backmatter

Titel: Tabloid Journalism in Africa
verfasst von: Brian Chama
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-319-41736-3
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-41735-6
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41736-3