The BBC's Legacy in Africa (Routledge African Media, Culture and Communication Studies)

This book critically examines the historical and ongoing influence of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on African broadcasting, tracing its colonial roots through to its post-colonial legacy.

The book details how in the 1930s the BBC established radio transmitter sites in East and Central Africa, thereby positioning itself as a model for broadcasting in British colonies and beyond. Grounded in a decolonial perspective, the book then explores the evolution of African radio structures, funding models, editorial policies and programming strategies. In the post-colonial era, the BBC continued to train, equip and support African broadcasters while maintaining a strong presence through African-focused programming. Some nations fully embraced the BBC model, while others developed hybrid broadcasting systems integrating British, local and transnational influences. Beyond historical analysis, the book interrogates the BBC’s enduring influence on African media, examining how contemporary local broadcasters negotiate, adapt or resist its legacy. A nuanced exploration of these dynamics provides critical insights into the intersection of colonial-era institutions and contemporary African media landscapes.

This book is an essential resource for scholars and researchers in media and communication studies, African studies and decolonial studies, offering a comprehensive understanding of the BBC’s role in shaping African broadcasting.

Albert Sharra is a joint postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Witwatersrand and the University of Edinburgh, an honorary fellow in the Centre of African Studies, University of Edinburgh and a visiting research fellow in the Communication and Media Research Institute (CAMRI) at the University of Westminster. He is a multi-award-winning journalist with a decade of experience in the newsroom. He conducts research on digital media, digital politics, artificial intelligence and digital culture and society. He is a Digital Media Mentor at the International Press Institute (IPI) and has raised over €60 000 in grants and trained more than 500 African journalists through international workshops.

Jimmy Kainja is a senior lecturer at the University of Malawi and a PhD candidate in Journalism and Media Studies at the University of Witwatersrand. He has over ten years of experience teaching Media, Communication, and Cultural Studies. He holds a BSc in Media Studies and an MRes in Media and Communication. His research focuses on media and communications policy, journalism, digital rights, freedom of expression, access to information and the intersection of media, democracy and development.

Anthony Mavuto Gunde is an associate professor of Media, Communication, and Cultural Studies at the University of Malawi. He is also a research fellow of the Journalism Department at Stellenbosch University. Gunde holds a PhD in Journalism Studies from Stellenbosch University and a Master of Arts degree in Communications from Missouri State University. He has published an edited volume, multiple chapters and journal articles in international peer-reviewed journals and books.