Get To Know 22-23 RSM Visiting Scholar: Gregory Gondwe

Gregory Gondwe is an Assistant Professor of Journalism Studies at California State University, San Bernardino. During the 2022-2023 academic year, he served as a Visiting Scholar at the Institute for Rebooting Social Media (RSM) at the Berkman Klein Center, where he focused on contemporary media ecosystems, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Can you discuss key findings on misinformation in Sub-Saharan Africa regarding location, age, gender, and media literacy? What interventions are needed to address disinformation? 

Misinformation is not a new phenomenon in Sub-Saharan African countries and has been part of the culture even before the advent of digital media. In the past, gossip and false news were popularized by certain styles of writing and topics in local papers. Now, the issue of misinformation has taken a global context, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting both legal and ethical challenges. Government attempts to control information can be seen as infringing on freedom, and communities face difficulties in self-regulating the information they consume.  

During the pandemic, there was a tendency to dismiss local information without verification, waiting instead for information from the US, which reflects an undermining of local knowledge. Research into social media usage in rural communities shows that younger people are more likely to share false information without concern for repercussions, while those who think they are more intelligent may be more prone to misinformation due to rigid beliefs. The tendency to trust or reject information based on origin, like the US or China, reveals biases that affect belief.  

Finally, there is a gap in research on misinformation through traditional media like radio, which remains a significant medium in rural areas. Misinformation is not merely a product of new media technologies, and a broader understanding must include all sources of information, including those outside of digital platforms. 

How is the balance of power between users and digital platforms evolving in Sub-Saharan Africa? 

In the evolving political landscape, the rise of non-traditional voices, including youth and digital influencers, is changing how power and influence are understood. This trend is exemplified by Zambia's former opposition leader, who actively engaged citizens on Facebook before acknowledging the significant contribution of youth towards democracy as President. 

However, this new era brings challenges, notably in regulating how technology shapes public opinion. Digital influencers, who aren't necessarily celebrities, are emerging as potent forces. Though some may be regarded negatively by society, such as a sex worker in Africa with a substantial social media following, they are still able to wield substantial influence. In some cases, such as in Nigeria and Ghana, this dynamic has led to political leaders paying influencers to advance particular narratives. This complexity raises questions about integrity and moral values within these new influential roles, prompting calls for further research. 

While the inclusion of these varied voices broadens the political conversation, it also underscores the need for thoughtful examination and regulation. The situation requires understanding to what extent these influencers can maintain ethical standards amidst personal or political gains, highlighting the complexity of this changing environment. Thus, the current shift in political influence necessitates a comprehensive analysis in this emerging era of digital democracy. 

In discussing your work at BKC, terms like "decolonizing" and "outsmarting digital media platforms" frequently appear. Could you elaborate on the strategies that influencers are using to navigate the digital landscape in the face of challenges such as surveillance, censorship, and algorithmic bias? 

The key idea here is that technology should be adapted to the local environment and serve the people using it, not challenge them. Efficiency is often a marketing strategy, but the real focus should be on appreciating local epistemologies and grassroots contributions. While education is important, acknowledging the great things done by those at the grassroots level can also lead to innovation. For example, mobile banking in Africa, though not highly publicized in scholarly works, represents a significant achievement. Emphasizing the values of these local ideas and recognizing various contributions, understanding technology's role as a servant to humanity, not a challenger, can be more vital in decolonizing and shaping technological development. 

While it's difficult to pinpoint a specific strategy, the emphasis should be on how specific individuals and communities are using technology for their benefit, transforming it to suit their needs, rather than following a uniform or Western-centric model. An example is the work of David Nemer, 2022-2023 RSM Visiting Scholar and BKC Faculty Associate, who studies how communities in Brazil transform technology for their advantage. The process of giving attention to how people are actually utilizing technology for their benefit allows for a more diverse and inclusive approach to technological innovation and adoption. 

Interviewer 

Bereket Nigussie is a Computer Science and Mathematics double major with a prospective minor in Psychology at Swarthmore College. During the summer of 2023, he interned with metaLAB, where he explored the crossroads of education and artificial intelligence.