SPYWARE AND SURVEILLANCE OF JOURNALISTS AFRICA

Abstract

Information and communication technology has aided the practice of journalism as much as generated concern over an observable growing trend in the deployment of spyware and surveillance technologies around journalists in Africa. This study investigated the integ rity of this trend and the level of awareness about this development among journalists on the continent. Additionally, the motivating factors among governments on such deploy ment were investigated. Notwithstanding some of its shortcomings over its inability to produce consistent results, the protective motivation theory provided the theoretical framework for this investigation. Fear as a stimulus factor motivates individuals or the government, in this instance, to act to mitigate or evade inevitable consequences. The government’s consideration of journalists as a source of fear motivates the deployment of spyware and surveillance technology. The study used the qualitative research approach. Twenty-two participants, including journalists, security experts, and other media profes sionals, were purposively selected from Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda for focus group discussions. The study findings align with previous examinations of this phenomenon as they confirmed the growing trend of deployment of spyware among governments around journalists. Nonetheless, the rising incidences of those using spyware for fraudulent activities obfuscate journalists’ ability to perceive when being watched by the government. Therefore, the need for media houses to invest in journalists’ capacity to detect spyware and surveillance. Governments must draw a clear distinction between public interest and national security, which was identified as the only justification for using spyware and surveillance around journalists. ,