Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book is an exploration into the ability of the African language press to adopt digital technologies, and the extent to which they are able to do so. It examines the adaptation of new media platforms that serve a marginalised ethnic minority group in Nigeria, the Urhobo ethnic group. The book also examines the use of local languages in online readers' comments in selected Zimbabwean English medium newspapers. It flags an urgent need to establish true community media that can cater for the development information needs of Africa's sharply divergent urban–rural populace. The book discusses some of the challenges that Yoruba newspapers encounter in their attempt to adopt information technology. It highlights specific solutions to the challenges. The challenges are compounded by the fact that many young people and adults cannot read the Yoruba language.