The African Press, Civic Cynicism, and Democracy (review)

Minabere Ibelema has written an important and courageous book that addresses a fundamental obstacle to functioning democratic systems and development within Africa—public culture. Writing within an African society frustrated by an extractive economic policy initiated in the colonial era and continued by African political leaders, Ibelema argues that civic cynicism has set in deeply within African cultures. This cynicism, the author argues, is a major detriment to establishing functional democratic systems and development across the continent. The role of the press in both extending and countering these civic values is analyzed throughout the book, which concludes with suggestions on how the press can rebuild Africa's social capital to fight against civic cynicism. Nigeria's political machinations and its subsequent press coverage are used as a case study—an ideal choice, given that country's vibrant press and diverse political experience.

The book is primarily designed for scholars interested in Africa, but Ibelema's lucid style will help any reader appreciate how civic values in Africa have reinforced decadent leadership. Governance and law are viewed by African society with disdain and seen as a tool for personal gain rather than greater good. In this context, citizens learn to defy rules and maintain short-term goals to survive, which in turn perpetuates a politically fractured system. The author describes two cases, for example, of Nigerian state governors who received praise from their constituents despite facing corruption charges by the British and Nigerian governments. Ibelema successfully documents the Nigerian press's gradual development as a herald for democratic principles and political accountability since independence. For example, during the seemingly unending military coups from the 1960s to the 1980s the press, according to Ibelema, was guilty of "romancing the gun" and producing "fawning editorials" that helped perpetuate largely failed political systems, despite claims of journalistic autonomy, essential to democratic process. The burgeoning African press of the 1990s, however, managed to warn against spoilers to elections and impress upon the populace the dividends of democracy. The independent press of Nigeria and Zambia, Ibelema writes, were instrumental in curbing term extensions for President Obasanjo and President Chiluba, respectively.

While Ibelema applauds the media's efforts to criticize faulty elections and governance, he also suggests that such coverage must expand beyond political actors and that its approach more broadly should demonstrate commensurate sophistication. A delicate balance must be struck wherein the press both denounces flawed elections but also supports the democratic process in order to combat civic cynicism. Further, the press's tendency to attribute national problems and solutions to individual political actors must change and move toward a more holistic, analytical approach.

The author emphasizes the role of the press in combating a culture of corruption that extends beyond government institutions and thrives within public attitudes. This is incontrovertible. However his confidence in the African press as a definitive solution seems at odds with the book's description of widespread civic cynicism. As in the rest of the world, the press in Africa is not a planned, centralized entity with consistently benevolent intentions, but rather a diverse and sometimes compromised medium. As the author states, in 2003 60 percent of Nigerian journalists were owed salaries and arrears. Such financial woes would likely result in a press susceptible to corruption rather than one upholding civic values.

Critics may also suggest that Ibelema has embraced Western values and shunned traditional norms. On the contrary, the author identifies problems within contemporary African culture and suggests rebuilding certain traditional values while removing those detrimental to development.

All in all Ibelema's book is an impressive and honest study of the underlying problems facing democracy and development in Africa; it sheds much-needed light on the past, current, and future role of the press in addressing these problems.