From platform jumping to self-censorship: internet freedom, social media, and circumvention practices in Zambia. Issue 3 (3rd July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Parks, Lisa; Mukherjee, Rahul
• Is Part Of: Communication and critical/cultural studies. Volume 14:Issue 3(2017)
• Page Start: 221
• Page End: 237
• Publication Date: 2017-07-03
• Subjects: social media -- Zambia -- journalism -- censorship -- Internet freedom; Communication and culture -- Periodicals; Communication -- Periodicals; 302.205
• DOI: 10.1080/14791420.2017.1290262
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1479-1420

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This article describes the complex media environment of urban Zambia based on qualitative interviews with 42 active ICT and social media users in Lusaka. After a contextual discussion of media censorship and Internet freedom, the article draws upon interview data to delineate four circumvention practices: (1) platform jumping; (2) anonymity; (3) self-censorship; and (4) negotiation of legal challenges. Rather than approach circumvention as a set of techniques disseminated from the information capitals of the world to those in the "global south, " this study approaches it as a set of cultural practices that emerges within particular sociohistorical conditions and platforms of communication.