Media and information literacy in South Africa: Goals and tools

 Ibrahim Saleh, Ciudad el Cabo (South Africa)

https://doi.org/10.3916/C39-2012-02-03

Keywords

Media literacy, information literacy, community, development, prospects, digital divide, policy

Abstract

The South African government has emphasized the need to expand the role of media education to promote equal access, with a level of quality and relevance that will empower disadvantaged groups. However, it is a challenging, time-consuming process, as well as requiring considerable and consistent expenditure and partnerships between many donor agencies. There is little research on the causes behind unequal access to technology, or comparative studies of the barriers that impede the diffusion and adoption of media and information literacy in South Africa. It is thus not surprising that the media and information literacy component is still missing from the agenda that lists Africa’s myriad problems, as well as the absence of qualified teachers, training for the trainers and the presence of IT literacy in the curricula, all of which are essential elements for any future development. The UNESCO model of curricula could help close the digital divide and promote social inclusion. As a contribution to that goal, this study investigates some of the pertinent issues related to media and information literacy via a sample of students at the University of Cape Town. This research offers some practical solutions on how to help raise the levels of media and information literacy among the disadvantaged, in the case in South Africa.

References

Baliamoune, M. (2003). An Analysis of the Determinants and Effects of ICT Diffusion in Developing Countries. Information Technology for Development, 10, 1, 151-169.

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Castells, M. (2002). The Internet Galaxy. Oxford (UK): Oxford University Press.

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Ernst, D., Mystelka, L. & Gianiatos, G. (1998). Technological Capabilities in the Context of Export-led Growth: A Conceptual Framework. In D. Ernst (Ed.), Technological Capabilities and Export Success in Asia (pp. 5-45). London (UK): Routledge.

Link Google Scholar

Freedom House (2010). Freedom in the World 2010 Survey Re lease. Freedom in the World 2010 Survey Release, 2010 (www. freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=15) (05-12-2011).

Link Google Scholar

Fuchs, C. & Horak, E. (2008). Africa and the Digital Divide. Te le matics and Informatics, 25, 1, 99-116.

Link Google Scholar

Gillwald, A. & Lisham, A. (2007). The Political Economy of ICT Policy Making in Africa: Historical Contexts of Regulatory Frame works. Policy Performance, Research Questions and Methodo logical Issues, 1, 1. (www.gersterconsulting.ch/docs/ICT-Africa_ Re port_ final_fr.pdf) (30-11-2011).

Link Google Scholar

Gillwald, A. & Stork, C. (2008). Towards Evidence-based ICT Policy & Regulation: ICT access and usage in Africa. Research ICT Africa, 2, 18, 35-42.

Link Google Scholar

Gregson, K. & Bucy, E. (2001). Media Participation: A Legiti mi zing Mechanism of Mass Democracy. New Media & Society, 3, 3, 357.

Link Google Scholar

Habermas, J. (1991). The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere. (Translation by T. Burger) Massachusetts (U.S.): MIT Press.

Link Google Scholar

Hameso, S. (2002). Issues and Dilemmas of Multi-Party Democracy in Africa. West Africa Review, 3, 2-8.

Link Google Scholar

Harindranath, G. & Sein, M. (2007). Revisiting the role of ICT in development. 9th International Conference on Social Impli ca tions of Computers in Developing Countries. São Paulo, Brazil, 1, 1, 1-6.

Link Google Scholar

ITU (Ed.) (2003). Investment: International Telecommunication Association Statistics, ITU. (www.itu.int) (07-8-2011).

Link Google Scholar

Karsenti, T. & Ngamo, S. (2007). The Quality of Education in Africa: the Role of ICTs in Teaching. International Review of Edu ca tion / Internationale Zeitschrift für Erziehungswissenschaft, 53, 5/6, 665-686.

Link Google Scholar

Katiti, E. (2010). NEPAD ICT Broadband Infrastructure Pro gramme: Interconnection via Umojanet. Presentation to the Afri can Peering and Interconnection. Forum, 1, 1, 1-19.

Link Google Scholar

Kedzie, C.R. (1997). Communication and Democracy: Coincident Revolutions and the Emergent Dictator’s Dilemma. Santa Monica, CA: Rand.

Link Google Scholar

Mundy, P. & Sultan, J. (2001). Information Revolutions. Tech ni cal Centre for Agricultural Rural Cooperation, 1, 1, 77-97.

Link Google Scholar

Ott, D. & Rosser, M. (2000). The Electronic Republic? The Role of the Internet in Promoting Democracy in Africa. Democratization, 7, 1, 137-155.

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Ott, D. (1998). Power to the People: The Role of Electronic Media in Promoting Democracy in Africa, 3/3 (www rstmonday. dk/issues/issue3_4/ott/index.html#author) (05-02-2012).

Link Google Scholar

Quebral, N. (1975). Development communication. In J. Jamias (Ed.), Readings development communication (pp. 1-11). Laguna (Philippines): UPLB College of Agriculture.

Link Google Scholar

Rahman, H. (2006). Empowering Marginal Communities and Information Networking. Hershey, Pennsylvania: Idea Group Pu blishing.

Link Google Scholar

Rothchild, D. (2000). Ethnic Bargain and State Breakdown in Africa. Nationalism and Ethnic Politics, 1, 1, 54-74.

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Saleh, I. (2003). Unveiling the Truth About Middle Eastern Media. Privatization in Egypt: Hope or Dope? Cairo (Egypt): Taiba Press.

Link Google Scholar

Saleh, I. (2009). Media Literacy in MENA: Moving Beyond the Vicious Cycle of Oxymora - Mapping World Media Education Po licies. Comunicar, 32, 1, 119-129 (DOI: 10.3916/c32-2009-02-010).

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Singh, S. (2010). The South African Information Society, 1994-2008: Problems with Policy, Legislation, Rhetoric and Imple men tation. Journal of Southern African Studies, 36, 1, 209-227.

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Steinmueller, W. (2001). ICTs and the Possibilities for Leap frogging by Developing Countries. International Labour Review, 140, 2, 193-210.

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Techatassanasoontorn, A. & Tanvisuth, A. (2008). The Inte grated Self-Determination and Self-Efficacy. Theories of ICT. SIG on Global Development Workshop. Paris: December 13, 1, 6-10.

Link Google Scholar

Tettey, W. (2002). Local Government Capacity Building and Civic Engagement: An Evaluation of the Sample Initiative in Ghana. Perspectives on Global Development & Technology, 1, 2, 28-165.

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Thompson, M. & Rushing, F. (1999). An Empirical Analysis of the Impact of Patent Protection of Economic Growth: An Extension. Journal of Economic Development, 24, I, 67-76.

Link Google Scholar

Tlabela, K., Roodt, J., Paterson, A. & Weir-Smith, G. (2007). Mapping ICT Access in South Africa. Cape Town (South Africa): HSRC Press.

Link Google Scholar

Ullner, F. (2008). PC Pitstop and its P2P-report. DC++: Just These Guys, Ya Know? January 17, 2008 (http://dcpp.word press. com/2008/01/17/pc-pitstop-and-its-p2p-report/). (17-04-2012).

Link Google Scholar

United Nations Human Development Report (Ed.) (2005). UNHDP 2005. New York: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Link Google Scholar

UNSTATS (Ed.) (2002). United Nations Statistical Databases (http://unstats.un.org) (1995-2002). International Telecommu ni ca tion (07-09-2011).

Link Google Scholar

US Census Bureau / Nielsen Online, ITU (Ed) (2009). Computer In dustry Almanac. June 30 (www.internetworldstats . com/ stats5.htm#me) (6-6-2011).

Link Google Scholar

Van Dijk, J. (2005). The Deepening Divide: Inequality in the In formation Society. London: Sage Publications.

Link Google Scholar

Wanjiku, R. (2009). Kenya Communications Amendment Act (2009) Progressive or retrogressive? Association for Progressive Communications (APC), 1, 1, 1-20.

Link Google Scholar

Fundref

This work has no financial support

Crossmark

Technical information

Metrics

Metrics of this article

Views: 41859

Abstract readings: 36776

PDF downloads: 5083

Full metrics of Comunicar 39

Views: 1105835

Abstract readings: 953606

PDF downloads: 152229

Cited by