Globalization and political communication in Africa: Anglo-american influences in Kenya and Nigeria

At the dawn of the twenty-first century, the professionalization of political publicity—with the media playing a central role—was considered unusual even in the European party systems. Over the years, the roles of communication experts have increased with the diffusion of new information and communication technologies (ICTs) in converged media spheres. As with most other cultures and practices, certain political communication trends that started and were popularized in Western democracies, especially the USA and the UK, have recently gained entry and popularity in Africa through homogenization and globalization processes. In this chapter, we pay particular attention to Kenya and Nigeria with a closer look at the phenomena of pre-election live-televised candidates’ debate and hiring of tested communication consultants from the West to advise on “messaging” (selling) policies and achievements of political candidates/leaders and their respective parties/regimes.