I know it’s been ages and I haven’t even welcomed you to the new month of June – pardon my eManners, Media Junkie has been swamped with R-E-S-E-A-R-C-H.
In fact, in the course of it all I have encountered some very interesting comments on DEMOCRACY – I thought i’ll share.
What is DEMOCRACY to you?
Here are some interesting analogies:
@renoomokri Democracy is not like shopping at Gucci; it is more expensive. Alternatives are less durable and high maintenance.
— Calestous Juma (@Calestous) June 7, 2012
Calestous Juma is a Harvard Professor @Harvard @Kennedy_School interested in science, technology and innovation for development. The point he is making in my opinion is that, no one said the road to democracy would be easy, but alternate routes are disastrous.
This got me thinking about an article I stumbled on this morning, Has Democracy brought Blind Hope to Africa?. The opening reads:
In the beginning was the word, and the word was Democracy. And Democracy was the way, and the truth, and the light, and all who came unto Democracy would not perish, but have donor funds and equitable life.
The piece summarises how democracy in Africa is a sham, as leaders rulers put the interests of Western powers and corporations before the welfare of the people. Democracy was perceived as a saviour with the axe to level the playing field, however, reverse has been the case on the continent, according to the report. It’s worth your read.
This PDF document on the other hand, Institutionalising Democracy in Africa, discusses the African Union’s attempt at charting principles for democracy and good governance on the continent.
It is therefore not surprising, that even African citizens obsess about the theme, democracy.
Obsessing about digital democracy today, or rather how that can be used to build and support a knowledge society in Tanzania. #ICT
— Elsie Eyakuze (@MikocheniReport) June 7, 2012
There is a state governor in Nigeria who has been innocently flagging my attention on the social network site, Twitter. He seems to be doing all the right things as far as engaging with citizens is concerned. However, I will discuss this idea of public officials in the digital public sphere in a more scholarly manner on my research blog sometime.
For instance here is a tweet from him that suggests he IS democracy-conscious:
“The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens.” – Alexis de Tocqueville
— Kayode Fayemi (@kfayemi) June 12, 2012
Haha! I haven’t told you yet – I have finally summoned courage to start my research blog.
So anytime you don’t find me here…. trust your gut instincts, i’ll be there 
Enjoy the mid-week.
Media Junkie
Voice is essential to sustaining democracy but that voice must exercised in a manner that is responsible, objective and balanced.