Are new media technologies positively influencing democratic participation? Evidence from the 2008 elections in Zimbabwe

Mutsvairo, Bruce (2013) Are new media technologies positively influencing democratic participation? Evidence from the 2008 elections in Zimbabwe. Global Media Journal African Edition, 7 (2). ISSN 2073-2740

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Abstract

This research is a case study analysis of the 2008 national elections in Zimbabwe. The elections are considered crucial in the history of the country because long-time President Robert Mugabe suffered an unprecedented defeat at the hands of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai in the first of the two rounds of voting. This study presupposes the view that as digital technologies become more accessible and affordable, more people are able to easily coordinate, organise and advance their interests. It aims to critically examine the overall role played by the Internet in propelling democratic reforms in Zimbabwe, specifically focusing on its role during the 2008 elections. The major question in the research pertains to the assumed use of new media technologies by Zimbabwean exiles to channel pro-opposition information into the country, effectively leading to President Mugabe’s losing.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Open access article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	democracy, Zimbabwe, Internet, technologies, media, diaspora
Subjects:	L200 Politics P500 Journalism P900 Others in Mass Communications and Documentation
Department:	Faculties > Arts, Design and Social Sciences > Design
Depositing User:	Ay Okpokam
Date Deposited:	14 Jul 2014 09:41
Last Modified:	12 Oct 2019 19:41
URI:	http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/17140

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