Access and dissemination of information and emerging media convergence in the Democratic Republic of Congo

ABSTRACT

We explore practical implications of emerging media convergence for journalists and citizens regarding access to information in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Using data from 34, semi-structured, face-to-face interviews, our analysis produces four key findings: (1) individuals and community radio journalists engage with media convergence in DRC; (2) media convergence offers solutions for evading government oversight and regulation; (3) radio journalists are committed to local and international news rather than national, political news and (4) outside actors, such as the Catholic Church and government, exert pressure on radio journalists. Our findings suggest there is growing engagement with convergence culture in Eastern DRC but radio remains a primary and invaluable source of news relating to politics, health, entertainment, and regional conflict. Additionally, emerging participatory culture suggests that citizens are ready for more transparent and representative news media – they need only be connected to a reliable and steady source of information.

KEYWORDS:

• Media convergence
• development
• community radio
• digital media
• conflict
• DRC

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Terms such as social media, digital media, and new media are used interchangeably throughout literature on computer-mediated communications technologies to connote Web-based media and/or platforms that allow users to produce and consume content.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Apryl Williams

Apryl Williams is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication & Media and the Digital Studies Institute at the University of Michigan and a Faculty Associate at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University. Her research interests include race, gender, social media, critical algorithm studies, and internet popular culture [email: [email protected]].

Benjamin K. Tkach

Benjamin Tkach is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at Mississippi State University. His research interests include conflict processes, non-state actors, private-public partnerships, and government regulation [email: [email protected]].