The internet in Africa — A new road to developmental opportunities or a digital highway leading to nowhere?

Abstract

This article deals with the issue of censorship and access restrictions to the Internet in sub-Saharan Africa as part of a general discussion on sustainable social development. Formal aspects of media censorship are discussed. The article then deals with what could be called ‘informal censorship’ issues that adversely restrict the free flow of information through the Internet, namely infrastructure and certain socio-cultural aspects. It is argued that the future of the Internet in Africa offers realistic and positive possibilities when the continent's culture, as well as modern technology, are put to use in creative ways to bypass, if not overcome, censorship and access restrictions. The use of the African oral tradition of interpersonal communication, innovative developments such as cyber kiosks, technological ‘leap-frogging’ and the South African Media Development and Diversity Agency initiative are considered. However, it is concluded that the role of the Internet in sub-Saharan Africa needs much study and research, especially when viewed against the background of the requirements for sustainable social development within the context of globalisation.