THE WEB IN AFRICAN COUNTRIES

Abstract

This article questions if, and how the Internet is being used as a tool of democratization in emergent democracies. Focusing on the Angolan and Mozambican cases, it examines the media's influence in democratization and the potential of the Internet. Some preliminary conclusions from media analysis and interviews show that, in spite of limited access, the Internet, through information websites, online newspapers, blogs, etc., is strengthening civil society in different situations: disseminating the other media contents, stimulating the presence of different actors in the public sphere and the creation of new independent media, promoting participation and discussion, and influencing journalists, who use the Internet to look for new approaches and opinions.

Keywords:

• Africa
• democratization
• media
• Internet
• Angola
• Mozambique

Acknowledgements

This research is funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (Portugal) through a post-doctoral research grant.

Notes

A discussion about the peculiarities of these countries’ interpretations of democracy or on the models of democracy implemented in them does not belong in this paper.