Hi Gabriele, first of all thank you for reading mu newsletter, I am glad you are finding it interesting. As for your question, I don’t have a straight answer for you. I think TikTok, as many other platforms, can be used to shape a different narrative around a given topic. If that’s for the good or not, it really depends on the people who are using the platform.
Regarding Chinese soft power in the continent, I think that’s more than a possibility. But I also think the real influence China is gaining on the continent comes from money spent in trade and investments for infrastructures, more than social media.
Thank you Francesco for your super interesting newsletter! I would like to ask you a question: do you think that tiktok has more positive or negative effects on Africa? Is it helping the continent’s narrative? Is it sensible to becoming a chinese soft power tool for gaining more influence in the continent?
Hi Gabriele, first of all thank you for reading mu newsletter, I am glad you are finding it interesting. As for your question, I don’t have a straight answer for you. I think TikTok, as many other platforms, can be used to shape a different narrative around a given topic. If that’s for the good or not, it really depends on the people who are using the platform.
This one, for example, is a positive example: https://amp.observers.france24.com/en/africa/20220217-meet-the-tiktoker-using-humour-to-break-down-stereotypes-of-africa
Regarding Chinese soft power in the continent, I think that’s more than a possibility. But I also think the real influence China is gaining on the continent comes from money spent in trade and investments for infrastructures, more than social media.
Thank you Francesco for your super interesting newsletter! I would like to ask you a question: do you think that tiktok has more positive or negative effects on Africa? Is it helping the continent’s narrative? Is it sensible to becoming a chinese soft power tool for gaining more influence in the continent?