ABSTRACT
The main goal of this chapter is to discuss and reflect on the press as a privileged field of resistance and struggle on behalf of African native elites against the colonial project in the territories under Portuguese domination. The African press, along with a journalism of advocacy, protest, demand and resistance developed in the Portuguese colonies throughout the monarchy and the republican period (1870-1926).
The main issues on the agenda of African journalism included the demand for equal rights for Africans and Europeans; the struggle for improvements of living conditions of African people; the discussion regarding the independence of the colonies; criticism of colonialism and its political programme. From the 1870s onwards, the native African elites questioned mainland policies and opposed the colonial project, mainly through the press and journalism.
The epilogue will show the political and cultural legacy of African journalism between 1870 and 1926 to the liberation struggles and movements which occurred from the 1950s onwards. The conclusion of the chapter argues that the press in African colonies needs to be discussed as a colonial public sphere, in which the empire was discussed, questioned and resisted.
