COM3704
Assignment 1
Semester 2
Due 2025
,COM3704
Assignment 1
Semester 2
Due 2025
EXCEPTIONAL ANSWERS
Contents
Essay 1: New Media’s Role in National Development and Indigenous Epistemologies
in the Global South ...................................................................................................... 2
Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 2
1.1 New Media and National Development Programs ................................................. 2
1.2 New Media and Indigenous African Epistemologies .............................................. 5
Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 6
References .................................................................................................................. 7
..................................................................................................................................... 8
ESSAY 2: New Media and Cybercrime: Challenges and Regulatory Responses ........ 8
Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 8
2.1 Understanding Cybercrime in the Age of New Media ............................................ 8
2.2 Forms of Cybercrime and Their Societal Impacts .................................................. 9
2.3 POPIA: A Framework for Data-Centric Cybercrime Response ............................ 10
Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 12
References ................................................................................................................ 13
, Essay 1: New Media’s Role in National Development and Indigenous
Epistemologies in the Global South
Introduction
The digital revolution has reconfigured how societies in the Global South conceptualize
development, governance, and knowledge. New media—comprising mobile
technologies, digital platforms, and social media networks—has emerged as both a
disruptor and a catalyst for transformative change. It holds the promise to democratize
information flows, deepen civic participation, and revitalize indigenous epistemologies
historically sidelined by colonial and neoliberal frameworks. However, this potential is
tempered by structural inequalities, infrastructural limitations, algorithmic biases, and
cultural commodification.
This essay critically evaluates the role of new media in advancing key national
development goals including poverty alleviation, population management, political
engagement, economic growth, literacy enhancement, and employment generation. It
also explores how these digital platforms serve as both vehicles and battlegrounds for
the preservation and promotion of indigenous African epistemologies, emphasizing the
need for ethical, inclusive, and culturally aware digital ecosystems.
1.1 New Media and National Development Programs
New media technologies demonstrate substantial capacity to support development, but
their effectiveness varies across regions due to persistent disparities in access,
governance, and cultural integration.
Poverty Alleviation
Mobile financial tools such as M-Pesa in Kenya have redefined access to banking
services, especially among unbanked populations. Beyond basic transactions, they
Assignment 1
Semester 2
Due 2025
,COM3704
Assignment 1
Semester 2
Due 2025
EXCEPTIONAL ANSWERS
Contents
Essay 1: New Media’s Role in National Development and Indigenous Epistemologies
in the Global South ...................................................................................................... 2
Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 2
1.1 New Media and National Development Programs ................................................. 2
1.2 New Media and Indigenous African Epistemologies .............................................. 5
Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 6
References .................................................................................................................. 7
..................................................................................................................................... 8
ESSAY 2: New Media and Cybercrime: Challenges and Regulatory Responses ........ 8
Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 8
2.1 Understanding Cybercrime in the Age of New Media ............................................ 8
2.2 Forms of Cybercrime and Their Societal Impacts .................................................. 9
2.3 POPIA: A Framework for Data-Centric Cybercrime Response ............................ 10
Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 12
References ................................................................................................................ 13
, Essay 1: New Media’s Role in National Development and Indigenous
Epistemologies in the Global South
Introduction
The digital revolution has reconfigured how societies in the Global South conceptualize
development, governance, and knowledge. New media—comprising mobile
technologies, digital platforms, and social media networks—has emerged as both a
disruptor and a catalyst for transformative change. It holds the promise to democratize
information flows, deepen civic participation, and revitalize indigenous epistemologies
historically sidelined by colonial and neoliberal frameworks. However, this potential is
tempered by structural inequalities, infrastructural limitations, algorithmic biases, and
cultural commodification.
This essay critically evaluates the role of new media in advancing key national
development goals including poverty alleviation, population management, political
engagement, economic growth, literacy enhancement, and employment generation. It
also explores how these digital platforms serve as both vehicles and battlegrounds for
the preservation and promotion of indigenous African epistemologies, emphasizing the
need for ethical, inclusive, and culturally aware digital ecosystems.
1.1 New Media and National Development Programs
New media technologies demonstrate substantial capacity to support development, but
their effectiveness varies across regions due to persistent disparities in access,
governance, and cultural integration.
Poverty Alleviation
Mobile financial tools such as M-Pesa in Kenya have redefined access to banking
services, especially among unbanked populations. Beyond basic transactions, they
