Challenging the lion in its Den

Community and feminist organizations dissatisfied with the mainstream media are working in several countries to bring changes through media activism. Drawing on theories of the public sphere, media sociology, and African feminism, this paper documents the work of Gender Links, a Southern African gender and media activism organization that has attracted international attention with its strategies and achievements despite strong resistance from the media. Based on institutional materials, in-depth interviews, and participant observation, this article shows that GL experiences many of the same obstacles as other media activism organizations but that in contrast, it is a very systematic and focused organization.

Year of Publication: 2009