Comparing Alternative Media in North and South

The Cases of Ifiwatchnet and Indymedia in Africa

Bibliographic Data

ID4142274
AuthorsFabian Frenzel (0000-0003-4929-2449, Bristol Business School, University of the West of England, Bristol, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, England), Steffen Böhm (0000-0002-0888-1362, Essex Business School, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, England), Pennie Quinton (London, England), André Spicer (IROB, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, England), Sullivan (0000-0002-0522-8843, corresponding author), Sian Sullivan (University of London), Zoe Young (0000-0003-1637-9249, London, England)
Year2011
Volume43
Issue5
Pages1173-1189
Publication date2011-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEnvironment and Planning A Economy and Space (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0308-518X • E-ISSN: 1472-3409
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1068/a43539
OpenAlexW2142660902
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited30

Alternative media form an important part of the global mediascape. Research on this phenomenon is, however, often drawn from studies in the 'global North'. In this paper we discuss alternative media in the 'global South', by exploring two case studies of cooperation between Northern and Southern partners: IFIWatchnet in South America, and Indymedia Centre in Africa. We highlight how Northern and Southern partners differed in identity, organizational forms, and accountability. We find that Northern partners were oriented to more 'marginal' identities, fluid organizational structures, and informal structures of accountability. In contrast, Southern activists articulated more 'mainstream' identities, relied on more structured forms, and linked to formalized modes of accountability. The result was often significant clashes over what it meant to be alternative media, how alternative media should be organized, and how people should be held to account. This meant that North-South cooperation was often fraught with struggle. These difficulties are reminiscent of the limitations of creating global cooperation through seeking to spread modes of activist organization developed in the North, which emphasize autonomy, networks, fluidity, and, in some instances, direct action

Accountability · Alternative media · Autonomy · Economic geography · Geography · Global South · Identity (music · Mainstream · Media studies · Phenomenon · Political science · Public relations · Sociology · Gender, Feminism, and Media · Media Studies and Communication · Social Media and Politics · Law

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