The impact of new media technologies on Zambia’s 2016 presidential elections

Academic Paper , 2017 , 7 Pages

Communications - Media and Politics, Politic Communications

The emergence of new media technologies has changed the way in which political communication takes place in Zambia. On 11thAugust 2016, Zambia held presidential, parliamentary and local government elections in which nine political parties massively used new media technologies to campaign before and during elections. The utilisation of new media technologies by political parties introduced a new way in political communication and had a great impact on how politics are conducted in Zambia. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of new media technologies in political campaigns during the time of elections. For the first time ever in the political history of Zambia, political parties used new media technologies massively in political campaigns to engage the electorate and this has brought a new facet in political communication which has now became beneficial to Zambian politics and culture. This paper examines how new media technologies influenced political campaigns in the presidential elections and how they have shaped modern day politics in Zambia.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• 1.0 Introduction
• 1.1 Internet in Zambia
• 1.2 Mobile Phones in Zambia
• 1.3 Political Campaigns
• 2.0 Methodology
• 2.5 Interviews
• 3.0 Analysis

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of new media technologies in political campaigns during Zambia's 2016 presidential elections. The research investigates how these technologies influenced political campaigns and shaped modern-day politics in the country.

• The impact of new media technologies on political communication in Zambia
• The use of new media technologies by political parties in the 2016 presidential elections
• The influence of new media technologies on campaign strategies and voter engagement
• The role of the internet and mobile phones in facilitating political communication
• The evolution of political communication in Zambia from traditional methods to new media technologies

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• 1.0 Introduction: This chapter introduces the study by examining the changing landscape of political communication globally and in Zambia specifically, highlighting the growing influence of new media technologies. It also provides background information on the use of new media in political campaigns, particularly in developing nations, and the shift from traditional methods in Zambia.
• 1.1 Internet in Zambia: This section delves into the development of internet infrastructure in Zambia, discussing its liberalization and the increasing number of internet users. It also explores the role of mobile service providers and the impact of internet penetration on political communication.
• 1.2 Mobile Phones in Zambia: This section examines the rapid growth of mobile phone subscribers in Zambia, attributing it to increased investment in the telecom sector. It analyzes the correlation between mobile phone penetration and improved service reach, emphasizing the significant role of mobile phones in political campaigns.
• 1.3 Political Campaigns: This chapter focuses on the official launch of the 2016 presidential election campaign period and provides an overview of the various traditional methods used by political parties, leading into a discussion of the primary focus of this study: new media technologies.
• 2.0 Methodology: This chapter outlines the research methodology, explaining the period of study and the specific methods employed, including content analysis, surveys, and interviews. It also details the nine political parties participating in the elections and their respective online presence.
• 2.5 Interviews: This section discusses the methodology of conducting interviews with voters to understand how they received campaign messages and their response to them.
• 3.0 Analysis: This chapter begins the analysis of the data collected from tables and interviews, focusing on how political parties used new media technologies to influence the electorate and connect with voters. It examines the use of websites, Facebook, SMS messages, and other platforms to communicate campaign messages.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The research focuses on the impact of new media technologies on political campaigns in Zambia, particularly during the 2016 presidential elections. Key themes include elections, new media, campaign strategies, political communication, technologies, and voters.

• Course: Media and Communications
• Author: Daniel Tonga (Author)
• Publication Year: 2017
• Pages: 7
• Catalog Number: V412861
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668649415
• Language: English
• Tags: Media, Tehnology, Culture, Rhetoric, Communications, Digital Media, Research paper