- Review of Unearthing the Constraints in Media and Communication Research in Africa: A Path to Building Resilience Towards the Decolonization Agenda
In this 2026 study, Nutsugah et al. examine the structural and institutional barriers that hinder media and communication research in Africa and limit African scholars’ participation in global knowledge production. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 32 media and communication scholars from across the continent, the authors identify several persistent challenges, including epistemic discrimination in academic publishing, inadequate institutional support, digital inequalities, restrictive visa policies, and unequal international research collaborations that often marginalize African researchers.
The study argues that academic publishing in many African institutions is frequently driven by promotion requirements rather than by intellectual curiosity or locally relevant research agendas. Furthermore, the authors demonstrate how existing global publishing structures and power imbalances continue to privilege Western perspectives while constraining African scholarship. These findings reinforce ongoing debates on the need to decolonize media and communication studies by creating more equitable systems of knowledge production.
A key contribution of the article is its emphasis on resilience and structural reform. Rather than merely documenting challenges, the authors propose practical recommendations for universities, policymakers, funding agencies, and academic publishers to strengthen African research capacity and enhance the visibility of African scholarship. Their recommendations include improving institutional support, promoting equitable international collaborations, reducing barriers to publishing, and addressing digital and mobility inequalities.
Overall, this article makes a valuable contribution to the literature on the decolonization of media and communication research. It provides empirical evidence of the systemic constraints facing African scholars while offering actionable strategies for creating a more inclusive and representative global academic landscape. The study is particularly relevant for researchers interested in media studies, decolonial scholarship, academic publishing, and knowledge production in Africa.
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- “Whose Voices Count? Participation, Power, and Communication in the Global South”
Critically examines the evolution of participatory communication within the Communication for Social Change (CFSC) tradition. The article revisits the field’s radical origins while questioning whether contemporary development practices have remained faithful to its original vision of empowerment and social transformation.
Pavarala traces the intellectual roots of participatory communication to Paulo Freire’s emancipatory pedagogy and grassroots social movements that viewed communication as a process of dialogue, collective action, and citizen empowerment. However, the paper argues that these transformative ideals have gradually been co-opted by neoliberal development frameworks, where participation is often treated as a project requirement rather than a genuine redistribution of power.
Using examples from Latin America, Africa, and Asia, the article demonstrates that meaningful participation continues to be constrained by donor priorities, government regulation, and deeply entrenched social inequalities. While communities are frequently invited to participate in development initiatives, they often have limited influence over decision-making, agenda setting, or the production of knowledge.
One of the article’s most significant contributions is its focus on the relationship between power, voice, and epistemic justice. Pavarala argues that authentic participation cannot be measured simply by the number of people involved in communication processes. Instead, it requires recognising whose knowledge is valued, whose experiences are represented, whose voices are heard, and equally importantly, who is expected to listen. In this sense, participation becomes a question of communicative justice rather than technical inclusion.
The article concludes by calling for a renewed understanding of participatory communication as a locally grounded, context-specific, and politically contested practice. Rather than relying on externally imposed development models, communication for social change should be rooted in indigenous knowledge systems, local epistemologies, and collective struggles for social justice. Such an approach, the author argues, is essential for addressing persistent structural inequalities and advancing more equitable forms of communication across the Global South.
This article makes a valuable contribution to contemporary debates on decolonising media and communication studies, offering both a critical historical reflection and a forward-looking framework for scholars and practitioners committed to more inclusive and socially just communication practices. It is particularly relevant for researchers working in development communication, participatory media, Global South studies, and communication for social change.
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Pavarala, V. (2026). Whose Voices Count? Participation, Power, and Communication in the Global South. Media, Culture & Society. DOI: 10.1177/01634437261452171.
Publisher’s page: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/01634437261452171
- Can Social Media Improve Food Literacy? New Study Highlights Opportunities and Challenges in Nigeria
As social media increasingly becomes a primary source of information, its influence extends beyond news and entertainment to the food choices people make every day. A recent study by O.U. Oteh, A. Oloveze, and I.E. Okorie (2025) explores how digital platforms are shaping food literacy in Nigeria and what this means for public health communication.
Published in Food, Culture & Society, “Healthy Communication Strategy: Social Media and Food Literacy in Nigeria” examines the relationship between social media use and food literacy, highlighting the growing role of digital communication in influencing dietary behaviours, particularly within rural communities.
The authors argue that although governments and public health agencies have invested heavily in nutrition programmes, many communities continue to experience malnutrition due in part to ineffective communication strategies. The study suggests that improving how nutritional information is communicated may be just as important as improving access to food itself.
Using a descriptive survey of 90 respondents in Abia State, Nigeria, the researchers found that Facebook and WhatsApp are the most trusted and frequently used sources of food-related information. This finding underscores the growing importance of social media as a public health communication channel capable of reaching communities that may have limited access to traditional health education programmes.
One of the study’s key findings is that improving the quality of online food information has a measurable impact on consumer behaviour. According to the researchers, a one-unit improvement in information quality is associated with a 2.02% improvement in food decision-making, demonstrating that credible and accessible information can positively influence dietary choices.
However, the study also highlights a significant challenge. As reliance on digital platforms grows, so too does the spread of misinformation and false health claims. Inaccurate nutritional advice circulating online can undermine public health efforts and confuse consumers, particularly in rural areas where digital literacy may be limited.
To address this challenge, the authors recommend that governments, health agencies, and food companies develop communication campaigns that prioritise accuracy, credibility, and trust. They suggest partnering with respected community figures, trusted influencers, and celebrities to disseminate evidence-based nutrition messages capable of reaching wider audiences and encouraging healthier eating behaviours.
The study contributes to emerging scholarship on health communication, digital media, and food literacy in Africa, demonstrating how social media can become a powerful tool for improving nutrition knowledge when supported by effective communication strategies. It also reinforces the importance of combating misinformation as digital platforms continue to shape public understanding of health and wellbeing.
For scholars, policymakers, and communication practitioners, this research offers valuable insights into the intersection of media, public health, and consumer behaviour, while highlighting the growing need for strategic digital communication that promotes informed and healthy food choices.
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Oteh, O. U., Oloveze, A., & Okorie, I. E. (2025). Healthy Communication Strategy: Social Media and Food Literacy in Nigeria. Food, Culture & Society. Taylor & Francis.
4. Breaking the Silence: Rethinking Family Communication About Sex and Sexuality in African Homes
Open conversations about sex and sexuality remain one of the most sensitive topics in many African families. While parents often seek to protect cultural and religious values, adolescents are increasingly turning to peers and social media for information when meaningful family dialogue is absent. A new study by Victorine Mbong Shu (2026) explores this communication gap and offers practical insights into how families can become stronger partners in promoting adolescent sexual health.
Published in Social Marketing Quarterly, “Sex and Sexuality Communication in African Families in South Africa: The Dynamics of Openness and Closedness” examines how Black African parents and adolescents negotiate conversations about sex, privacy, and trust within the family. The study is grounded in Communication Privacy Management (CPM) Theory, which explains how people establish and negotiate boundaries around private information.
Drawing on in-depth interviews with Black African parents and adolescents in South Africa, the research reveals that both generations want more meaningful conversations about sex and sexuality. However, these discussions are often shaped by cultural expectations, religious beliefs, and family hierarchies that encourage silence, selective disclosure, and parental authority. As a result, adolescents frequently seek answers from friends, social media, and other digital platforms, where information may be inaccurate or misleading.
One of the study’s key contributions is its reframing of family communication as a critical component of adolescent health rather than simply a matter of information sharing. The findings suggest that trust, openness, and respectful dialogue are essential for helping young people make informed decisions about relationships, sexuality, and reproductive health.
Rather than advocating for unrestricted disclosure, the study proposes a culturally sensitive approach that respects family values while encouraging gradual and collaborative communication. Parents and adolescents are encouraged to negotiate privacy boundaries together, creating safe spaces where difficult conversations can occur without fear, shame, or moral judgment.
The research also has important implications for social marketing and health communication. Instead of relying solely on public awareness campaigns or fear-based messaging, the author argues that interventions should strengthen communication within families. By equipping parents with the confidence and skills to discuss sexuality in culturally appropriate ways, health promotion initiatives can improve trust, increase message acceptance, and better prepare adolescents to make responsible decisions.
As African societies continue to navigate the influence of digital media and changing social norms, this study provides timely evidence that families remain central to adolescent wellbeing. Strengthening communication at home may be one of the most effective and sustainable strategies for promoting healthy behaviours while preserving cultural identity and family relationships.
This article makes a valuable contribution to scholarship on family communication, social marketing, adolescent health, and African communication studies, offering a culturally grounded perspective on one of the continent’s most important public health and communication challenges.
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Shu, V. M. (2026). Sex and Sexuality Communication in African Families in South Africa: The Dynamics of Openness and Closedness. Social Marketing Quarterly. First published online: 21 May 2026. DOI: 10.1177/15245004261453769.
Publisher’s page: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/15245004261453769
Open-access full text (ResearchGate): https://www.researchgate.net/publication/405158971_Sex_and_Sexuality_Communication_in_African_Families_in_South_Africa_The_Dynamics_of_Openness_and_Closedness