The African Media and Publics Research Institute is an independent research centre examining how media systems, digital platforms, public narratives and communication policy shape civic life in Africa and beyond.
From disability representation to AI-enabled disinformation, our work connects African evidence to global media and communication debates.
What we do
The institute exists to produce credible, accessible and Africa-centred research on media and public communication. It is designed as a home for academic articles, policy briefs, public scholarship, media monitoring, research notes, event reports and long-form analysis.
African scholars, practitioners and publics should shape the questions, evidence and theories used to understand communication in the modern world.
Research pillars
The programmes organise the institute's research agenda across journalism, platforms, policy, inclusion and public communication practice.
Research on journalism, political communication, civic trust, elections, public debate, media freedom and the changing role of news institutions.
02Analysis of misinformation, disinformation, synthetic media, algorithmic visibility, platform governance and the risks of AI-generated public narratives.
03Evidence on disability inclusion, stigma, language, media representation, accessibility, voice, participation and narrative power.
04Research on how development actors, governments, NGOs and communities communicate crises, policy issues, health, aid and social change.
05Work on media law, digital rights, public interest regulation, online safety, press freedom, telecoms policy and governance of information systems.
06Applied research for communicators, campaigners, journalists and policy actors who need evidence, language guidance and audience insight.
Latest publications
June 1, 2026
Introduces a research framework for examining how synthetic content can reproduce stigma, exploit stereotypes and shape public attitudes toward persons with disabilities.
Read publicationMay 15, 2026
Maps recurring disability language patterns across selected public-facing materials and explains why language choices matter for inclusion.
Read publicationObservatory
A public-facing research observatory for tracking media language, policy debates, platform narratives and communication risks across African public life.
Explore the observatoryTracks institutional and media language around disability.
AI Narrative WatchMonitors synthetic content, AI narratives and disinformation risks.
Media Policy MonitorTracks digital rights, online safety, press freedom and platform accountability.
Public Trust BarometerStudies public trust in media, institutions and public communication.
Research notes, policy signals, publication alerts, language guidance and commentary on African media and communication trends.