The Africa-China Reporting Project (ACRP) held a joint webinar (see here to view in full) with the African Centre for the Study of the United States (ACSUS) on 31 March 2021 discussing key issues presented by Africa-China-US relations under the Joe Biden Administration, new opportunities and challenges for African countries, and what journalists need to be aware of to cover this developing story. Following the webinar, the ACRP supported the participating scholars to produce six research publications, which are produced below in full.
Hosted by Dr Bob Wekesa (Acting Director, ACSUS), the webinar featured the following five African scholars:
- Gregory Gondwe, Affiliate at the Department of Journalism, University of Colorado
Gregory Gondwe is an affiliate of the Department of Journalism at the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he teaches media-related courses. His research explores the concepts of persuasive messages and their effects on the news. With particular interest on Sub-Saharan Africa, he examines how individuals and groups choose to assimilate and accept news content as either true or false. His current research explores Chinese news agenda in African media systems, particularly examining China's influence in the Zambian media and its implication to the quest for an African Journalistic narrative.
- Puso Kedidimetse, Political risk analyst
Puso Kedidimetse is an ward-winning journalist who has worked in print media for twelve years. His awards include Media Institute of Southern Africa (Botswana chapter) Business Reporter of the year and SADC Print Journalist of the year reporting on regional integration. He is a political reporter with experience covering foreign affairs and the political economy of Southern Africa. His focus areas include trade, infrastructure and agriculture. He has also served as a climate change reporter covering UN climate change conferences in Poland and Denmark. Currently he is a political risk analyst and working as a publications editor for a research institute. His research interests are geopolitical and security developments around the globe. He holds a BA History (UB), MA Conflict Resolution (Bradford, UK) and is 2015 Chevening scholar.
- Dr Cliff Mboya, Independent researcher and consultant
Dr Cliff Ochieng’ Mboya earned his PhD in International Politics from Fudan University in Shanghai, China. He conducted his research on China’s public diplomacy in Kenya. He holds an MA in Development Communication from the University of Nairobi where he researched China Daily’s media portrayal of China in Africa. He holds a BA in International Relations and Journalism from the United States International University. His research interests include Africa-China relations (Belt and Road Initiative, FOCAC) public diplomacy and development communication. He has worked at the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, and the Diplomat East Africa magazine.
- Amukelani Matsilele, Department of Media Studies, University of the Witwatersrand
Amukelani Matsilele is a Master of Arts candidate at the Media Studies Department at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). Her thesis focuses on integrating drones in South African newsrooms. She is currently working at the ACSUS as a communications and public diplomacy intern.
- Adhere Otieno, PhD International Relations, Central China Normal University
Adhere Otieno is a PhD student of International Relations at Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China. He holds a Masters degree in International Studies from the University of Nairobi. His current research focuses on Africa-China relations and its implications for Africa’s socio-economic transformation. Since 2012 Adhere has served as a communications officer at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya, and provided communication consultancy services to a number of organisations including the African Union, and has published in leading Chinese and Kenyan media outlets.
Following the webinar, the ACRP supported the scholars who participated in it to produce the following research publications, which are produced here in full via the links below:
