The illusion of the fourth estate in Kenya: from conventional media to social networks

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.16921/chasqui.v0i129.2502

Keywords:

sub-Saharan Africa, democracy, civil society, structure of information, internet, monopoly

Abstract

For a decade, Kenya has established itself as a technological leader in the continent and as a reflection of the proliferation of media, both in East Africa and in sub-Saharan Africa in general. It has also seen a significant growth in mobile phone uptake and the use of the Internet and social networks like Twitter or Facebook so it is having a significant impact for Kenyan economy, political, cultural and social life. However, the monopoly and the control of the sector by a few players blurs the apparent freedom of information that is perceived in the society.

Author Biography

  • Sebastián Ruiz-Cabrera, Universidad de Sevilla
    Doctorado internacional en comunicación. Periodista freelance, Investigador en la Universidad de Sevilla y en la University of Nairobi.

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Published

31-03-2016