African Media Studies and Marginality at the Center

The subject of this essay is the relative detachment of African media studies research from the discipline of media studies in North America. Although marginalization of African media studies is more commonly associated with scholarship produced outside North America and Europe, this essay argues for a recognition of its presence at the centers of global power. A number of institutionally configured firewalls perpetuate continuing marginalization of African media studies in North America and constrain the disciplinary horizons of expectations for African media studies scholars. These institutional firewalls are situated both in media studies journals and conferences as well as in area studies journals and conferences. The relative invisibility of African media studies within media studies forums in North America has consequences for African media studies worldwide since the marginality inflicted upon African media scholarship at the center is often exported to supposedly peripheral locations. For this reason, the effort to counter marginalization of African media studies must unfold concurrently at the center and in diverse peripheries. A variety of strategies for re-centering African media studies scholarship in North America are examined and discussed in this essay. Support for autonomous bodies advancing African media studies research and reengagement with an expanded spectrum of concerns in media studies are identified as important priorities for scholars seeking to redress the marginalization of African media studies in North America.