Cultural Identity and New Communication Technologies: Political, Ethnic and Ideological Implications

International contributors in journalism, communication, and media, many from Africa, examine the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in culture development. They explore the impact of the new techno-cultural landscape on political and ethnic structures, and analyze the relationship between ICTs and existing ideological hegemony. The book begins with a foreword based on a keynote address to the Sixth Biennial Conference of African Broadcasters, 2006, reviewing media and culture within the context of the triple heritage of Africa's indigenous legacy, the legacy of Islam, and the impact of Western culture. Papers in section 1 explore emerging media, community, and identity (re)construction. Some chapter topics include identity and new ICTs in Kenya, and the Internet and mainstream print journalism practice in Zimbabwe. Chapters in section 2 look at ICTs in pop culture and health communication, in areas such as theater-against-AIDS performances in Kenya, communication strategies in malaria control in Nigeria, and East African hip-hop. Section 3 examines topics related to global politics and cultural transformation, such as new media and hegemonic discourse in Pakistan, and the Internet as a change agent in China. Editor Wachanga is affiliated with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Annotation c2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)